L 


Sharpshooter  Dick's  brave  escape  from  the  field  of  battle. 


THE  WAR  LIBRARY. 


SHARPSHOOTER  AND  SPY; 

— on,— 
The    Terrible    Panic    at    Bull    Rui 

BY  MAJOR  A.  F.  GRAST. 

Author  of  "  0?i.  to  BiOimond:' 


CHAPTER  I. 

ON  HIS  OWN  HOOK. 

It  was  a  warm  July  night  in  Washington. 

All  day  the  measured  tread  of  infantry, 
the  gallop  Of  cavalry,  and  the  hoarsf  riim- 
ble  of  artillery  had  resounded  throughout 

'^'rhe  bulk  of  the  Union  army  was  at  Alex- 
andria, preparing  to  move  upon  Beauregard, 
whose  forces  had  been  concentrated  at  Man- 
assas Junction,  twenty-seven  miles  west  of 
McDowell's  camp.  ,       .  , 

The  movement  had  net  been  kept  secret, 
and  hundreds  of  prominent  people,  senators, 
representatives,  judges,  aud  elergyinen 
were  erettina  readv  to  accompany  the  Union 
Toopf  to  thiir'lirst  ..attle.iJld,  for  the  pur- 
pose of  witnessiufr  thr  rnishingoftheton- 

''T^Sth*,^il;";n!".'— lors  at  the  North 
beli"v.dtli"it  tlii'  war  would  not  last  three 
months;  Imt 
knew  tho  r, 
of  the  S..iii 
bloody  coiill 
Washingtc) 


Orderlies 

on  magnilii 

the  Long  Bridge 


American  citizen ; 
but  you  must  have  a  card 


were  a  few— men  who 
and  the  determination 
predicted  a  long  and  a 


itly   ohuUeug- 


0 


So  busy  seemed  every  person  in  the  city, 
with  some  business  pertaining  to  the  struggle 
near  at  hand,  that  nobody  noticed  the  man 
who  moved  up  Pennsylvania  avenue  alone 
toward  the  Capitol,  with  a  long  rifle  upon 
his  shoulder.  .     ,       , ,        „     .. 

Tiisfitiire  he  was  tall,  his  shoulders  weie 
broad,  iiidifative  of  gi'ent  strength,  and  his 

''^TiT  "till-'  l'iinpli'''iit  hi/looked  almost  as 
■iriiwii  -i  •!  Mp-Ki<'^iii  uml  the  dark  mustache 
thathicihi/lipsaddp'ci  to  his  attractiveness  of 

^leus^garraents  were  attractive  oiies,  inas- 
much Is  they  consisted  of  a  fringed  hunting- 
jacket  that  had  a  cape,  and  leggings  that 
fitted  close,  and  boasted  "f  « t.'-'"f  ,?','?"- 
the  seam.  He  wore  ^  br,Kul-br  mined  hat, 
not  unlike  a  sombrero,  to  wliuh  naci  rjeeu 
fastened  the  tail  Ota  tox-s(iuirre. 

Such  was  the  person  who  1>"*^«\  "i'  J^e 

great  avenue  of  the  Capitol,  heedless  of  the 

fide  of  humanity  that  surged  past  him,  not 

noticing,  and  apparently  unnoticed  by  any 

> found  himself  in  front 

ioh  he  gazed  for  several 


never  missed  a  b'ar  trail  among  the  mount- 

s.    Sotharsasoundof  revelry  by  night 

111    the   Ducroy  house   near  F  street?    1  ni 

much  obliged,  gentlemen.    Ill  go  and  hunt 

'^'"n'ol'd  a  minute!"  cried  one  of  the  con- 
gressmen-for  congressmen  all  the  men 
were  "You'll  have  trouble  obtaining  an 
TnterView  with  Ducroy  until  after  the  re- 
ception." 
"  I  ffuess  not.  .  , 
"I'm  afraid  you  will.  You  may  not  be 
acquainted  with  the  rules  that  govern  so- 
ciety here  at  the  capital."    .  

"Rules  be  hanged!  "exclaimed  the  mounts 
aineer,  his  dark  eyes  flashing  with  indigna- 
tion     "I'm  a  free  born  American  citizen; 
Jim  Ducroy  ' 
"That  is  1 

"^"ToOld  Nick  with  your  card!"  wasthein- 
terruption.  "  The  card  that  has  never  failed 
me  is  the  one  I  carry  on  my  shoulder,"  aud 
the  speaker  patted  his  rifle  affectionately. 
"  The  Honorable  Mr.  Ducroy  k.'i"-\f  >*  '"'''.•>/, 
if  Itakeanotion  toseehmi,  I  Udosowiui- 
out  the  formality  of  an  intr< .. luct  i.  .n.  i . < ><>  i- 
night,  geutlemen,"  and,  *'"',  V  ,,,.„, l  off 
called  himself  Dick  Griswold  nunc  d  off 
with  the  proud  step  ot  a  inountaui  k-in^. 
"^He  was^not  long  in  nnding  1'.^  -yeVath  to- 
incpiiry  soon  set  him  on  the  ught  patu  to 

^-'l'h*r^'Tup1'lfth'o world !" 'heexclaimecl, 
■1-  ii,.  hiTicil  in  front  of  a  spacious  yard 
lii;lii,  .1   i".  a  number  of  elegant  gas-]ets  and 

'  'l'"!    'n  '■''!'  I '.  "splendidly  dressed  ladies  and 

...re  visible  along  the  prome- 

,,         ,  I  „  1  n  all  directions,  and  peals  of 

i„    ,  ;  ,     i  !,  _,  ;.  I    were  borne  to  the  niount- 

'"■'■*  '    ,,|.,,M  hod  theyardandleanedagainst 

ii'io,  lo^t  ly  keeping  his  fine  figure  with- 

I't'li''  M'ot  where  he  had  halted  he  had 


beneath  his  hunting  frock,  and  used  cine 
knertor  a  desk,  while  he  scrawled  his  name 

^""^^har!"  he  said,  handing  the  paper  to  the 
darkv  "Thar's  the  first  card  Dick  Uris- 
wold^ver  made  use  of.  Take  that  to  Du- 
<Tov  1  don't  care  how  busy  he  is  with 
Genc;ral  Jessup.  .P^l^^  "  under  his  nc,.e,an^ 
aud  that  I'm  at  his  door.  I  won  t  detain  him 
three  minutes;  but  I'm  here  to  see  him. 

The  colored  attache  of  the  mansion  van- 
ished with  the  paper  in  his  hand. 

A  minute  later  the  startling  ejaculation  of 
"My  God!  what  brings  him  here?  fell  on 
Gris^wold's  ears.  It  came  from  a  room  some- 
where on  his  right,  and  before  he  could  as- 
certain its  exact  location,  he  heard  a  heavy 
step  in  the  hall,  and  the  congressman  himself 
appeared  before  him. 

Aueroy  was  a  large  and  .heavily  budt  man 
of  fifty-five,  with  a  profusion  of  sandy  whis- 

His  eyes  were' piercing  and  small,  but  keen 
as  a  hawk's,  though  outwardly  as  cold  as 

"'hc  was  flashily  dressed,  and  florid  of  coun- 
-a  lover  of  wine  and  good  clothes, 
he  first  he  kept  his  eyes  fastened  on 


Froii.  , 

the  sharpshootc 
colored  servant 


thout-'bl 
ask   ho- 


A'ari 


"fair  woin 

For     ma 

watched  11 


uihiulos  the  mountaineer 
oimattMl  sr-eues  before  him. 
-  n..  iu,-..,.o  something  when  he  gives  a 
parJ^to  Uncle  SanVs  oolonols,"  in-Jtered 
Sharpshooter  Dick.  Juninio  o\  himi  >  .i= 
anybody's  fool— not  wh.n  i  khou.m  m  i  j 
anyhow.  Who  dreamed  _t on  yoan;  a;^  that 
he    would  CO    to      " '"     ""       '•     ,     . 


■  stammered. 
,-night.".,. 


of  th 


nhabits,"  he  said, 
t.'ps  he  climbs  day 
llv   to   Un.'loSam 


lieve.  .: 
knows, 
the  gal ; 
get  my 
Pshaw ! 

The  si 
and  mo 

As  ho 
tion.     1 


g  to-night?  An'  he's 
t  the  prettiest  girls  in 
V  Nettie  Knox,  I  be- 
iiieked  her  up,  nobody 
■  'em  both— Ducroy  an' 
■essman  said  I  couldn't 
e  door  without  a  card. 
It  that!" 
t  bis  tree  as  he  finished. 


failed  me.  No  ;  1  don't  think  \  ni  the  proper 
ehap  to  expose  old  Double-face; .  but  I 
would    like   to    know  what  he's  doing   to- 

"'ifaviug  thus  delivered  himself,  the  speaker 
turned  to  a  group  of  fine-appearing  gentle- 
men who  had  lately  come  down  from  the 
''^^"stlutedihlmby  a  courteous  lifting  of 
his  hat,  which  act  could  not  have  failed  to 
arrest  their  attention.  ......      ,     , 

"Well,  my  good  fellow,  what  is  it?"  asked 
one  of  the  men.  t./i  ri,,. 

"Nothing  much,  gentlemen  ;  only  I  cJ  like 
to  know  where  I'ci  be  likely  to  find  the  Hou- 
OTaWe  Mr.   Ducroy-thafs  his  Washington 

'''^'Duiroyt"clrteinly,"was  the  response. 
"He  is  entertaining  a  number  of  Union 
officers  at  his  residence,  near  the  foot  of  J< 
^"H^avinfr party,    eh?"    ejaculated    the 

mountaineer.  _  ,  „, 

"A  reception,  rather.    Do  you  know  where 


F  street  is"? 

"I've  got  an  idea.    I  guess  .     — 
moved  sTnce  I  ^as  here  last.    I  oughtn 
fail  to  find  a  street  in   this  city,  when 


tbeen 

tto 


•■"l  (i,,l     \fY  v\r<  init—Vm  a  free  show," 

I  ulito.i  i;ii<Moid.    "Some  of  you  never 

*u  hi-ioioi  icllowivlio  isfightin' ouhisowu 

,1-       irs'.'vo  nio  lo  yer  satisfaction,  ladies 

id  "vn't-^    lor  I  shan't  stay  long,  an'  when  I 

.  vHii  nr'iv  novor  soo  me  a'gain." 

liv    this'   tinio    Sliarpshooter    Dick    had 

v^.-iolied  tiie  stops  of  the  mansion,  and  found 

himself  coufronted  by  a  colored  door-keeper 

in  a  black  broadcloth  coat,  buttoned  to  the 

*"'™Vhar's  the  Honorable  ?"  asked  the  mount- 
aineer, with  a  sneer  at  the  pomposity  as- 
sumed by  the  darky. 

"  De  Honorable  Mr.  Ducroy,  sah? 

"Walfyes.  I  accept  of  the  amendment. 
^"Tu  de^private  parlors,  jes'  now,  wid  Gen- 
eral Jessup."  . 

"  I  want  to  see  mm. 

"Your  card,  sah?"  „„<.„' 

"I  never  had  such  a  thing.  Just  go  an 
tell  Ducroy  that  an  old  acquaintance  wants 

*°"^raS^t"dorB'Sh?'can't  disturb  'im  durin' 
his  confab  wid  de  gineral  without  a  card. 

"The  deuce  you  can't!  I've  seen  the 
time  when  the  cards  Jim  Ducroy  most  loved 
tosee,  contained  fifty-two  to  a  pack.  Money, 
votes  and  a  little  sense,  elevat^  a  fellow 
more  than  a  balloon  does,  nowadays.  Yon 
won't  announce  me  to  Ducroy  ? 

8h'arpshtter'D=ck  reflected  for  a  mmi^^^^^^ 
then  cTrew  a  piece  of  paper  from  a  pocket 


vho" still  stood  where  the 

It,,  „  ,.  \  ..11."  he  e.Kclaim- 
anil  t.."'aid  the  cougress- 
.,,,„,■  t..  Washington,  I 
t  slight  you.  I  needn't 
^ottin'    along,  for    things 

swcred  Ducroy,  in  a  dazed 
ou  are  in  for  the  war,  I 

"  In  for  it  oil  my  own  hook.  You  see,  Jim, 
I  couKjS^t  stay  at  home  while  all  this  fuss  .^ 
ioiu"  on  round  about  Washington  ;  so  I 
thought  I'd  run  down  an'  help  Uncle  Sam. 
I'm  goin'  to  the  front  to-morrow.        ,  „_^ .  ^ 

Ducroy  let  slip  a  breath  of  relief  before  he 

'■''Sf'^wish  you  success.  But  you  wUl 
oxoiisc  111.-  just  now.    I  must  not  neglect  my 

^"'■I'v'  .love!  Jim,  that  wasn't  the  way  in 
tho  oi.i  o  imps,"  exclaimed  the  sharpshooter. 
■  1  ,„,)  li.ri'- 1  hear  von' ve  got  a  mighty  good- 
ir,,a-io  xvii.'l  liUiko  tosooherbeforelgo. 
If  mnon'i.lii.'.    <.u1    thor,  jes'   tell  me 

how-ln^.lr.-s-.'.l:  l^iat  will  do." 

"  .        n    ,,,...1  (,,  i.,li   Iho   congressman  s 

A  palloi  M  '  no  .1  1.1  1.  ■     11  t, 

face  of  some 

"  I  really  > 
haven't  seel 

DOT  ^a^'icd'biu^rand '  tbjrmountain- 
eer,  with  flashing  eyes,  followed  hiui  up. 

"It's  a  lie,  and  you  know  it  '  i","  "  PIou 
ued,  clutohingtho  congressman  s  arm  You 
don't  want  me  to  meet  Nettie,  and  I  know 
g^e^nSsTon  ;?;-e  e^fc^^^J^g*  to^-u&^^^ 

fkcukiui^eri^'^'niT^p 

thing  you  haven't  the  courage  to  do.  I  won  t 
nresfyou  for  an  introduction  to  Nettie  Knox 
?o-uiXt     Go  back  to  your  general,  Jim,  and 

P  B°eForlVe''horrified  Ducroy  could  reply 
his  arm  was  released,  aud  the  sharpshcioter 
was  walking  toward  the  sidewalk  with  his 
riSellugc'arelessly  across  his  shoulder 

"My  heavens!  the  last  man  I  expected  to 
see  to-night!"  gasped  the  congressman.  I 
wonde?ffanybW  heard  what  he  said.  NoJ 
r  nm  the  only  person  in  the  hall.  I  tnanK 
thee  for  this" Fortune!    Ah!  there  is  John. 

''''"  Yes,  sah,"  said  the  darky,  moving  for- 
"^^  Tell  General  Jessup  that  1  am  too  tmwell 
to  return  to  him  just  now,  and  that  I  beg  ot 
him  to  excuse  me  for  awhile. 
The  darky  marched  off  toward  the  ro^m 


jpiedby  the  Union  general,  while  uu- 
CT~6y^Jcendea  the  broad  staircase  to  the  floor 

'^^A^minute  later  he  entered  an  elegantly 
futnffhed  bedroom,  and  took  trom  a  maho^ 
any  desk  a  revolver,  which  he  transterred  K) 
^'f^^hf/mustn't  pressme^!"  he  grated. 
CIIAPTERril. 

THE  SHARPSHOOTER  AT  WORK. 

conveSalbroadcloth,  and  was  extremely 
'"Hel°o"f<i  not  have  passed  his  twenty-fifth 
year. 


THE  WAR  LIBRARY 


His  eomijaniou  was  a  young   girl   of   daz- 
zling loveliness,  celebrating  ner  eighteenth 


"I  am  no  prophet,  Miss  Nettie,"  said  the 
gentleman,  icsimiiiii,'  a  conversation  which 
had  InsTfic'ii  tor  a  nicmnMit ;  "liut  I  predict 
that  tliel.liii'roals  IV  ill  not  inal  tlieoverthrow 
of  Beaiinranl  an  ra>y  ta>k.  ' 

"I  c-auiiut  see  why  nut.  Fur  days  and  days 
Scott  has  been  sending  troops  across  the 
Long  Bridge.  There  must  be  more  than 
twenty  thousand  Union  soldiers  across  the 
Potoniac  to-night." 

"  More  than  that  number,  it  I  have  been 
correctly  informed.  Ah!  we  will  wait  until 
we  see  your  guardian.  He  will  not  let  Gen- 
eral Jessup  go  until  he  has  pumped  him  d7-y. 
Then  my  work  befjiiis." 

Nettie"  Kno.K  Inuk.'d  intu  tlirsprakrr  s  facv. 


'Do; 


vhen   Dncroys    heart  is 
Scott  already  has  spies  in 
not  have 


not  to    And   fa 
with  our  cause, 
Richmond;  why,  then,  sh 
them  here?" 

"  But  this  is  Washington— the  National 
Capitol." 

"So  it  is — or  was.  It  is  so  no  longer.  I  do 
not  know  that  I  will  play  my  present  part 
much  longer.  I  am  going  into  the  array. 
This  business  dues  not  sail  uie." 

"  I  abhor  it.  Tu  nn'  if  luuks  meau,  dishon- 
orable!" and  till'  c-v<  s  ul'  till-  lair  girl  seemed 
toflash.  "There  nmst  !"■  .-ii lies,  I  suppose; 
but  1  trust  no  friend  u£  niiue  will  ever  play 
that  game." 

"  Not  for  the  cause  of  the  South,  Nettie  ?" 

"It  is  spying  against  the  government." 

The  young  man's  answer  was  a  stare. 

Such  words  from  Dueroy's  ward.  What 
did  it  mean? 

For  several  minutes  silence  reigned  be- 
tween the  pair.  It  was  broken  by  strains  of 
band  music  from  an  adjoining  street. 

"Another  Yaukee  regiment,"  said  the 
youiig  man,  after  listening  a  moment. 
"They'll  come  liack  to  Washington  with 
drooping  color.*,  Nettie." 

"Perhaps;  irut  I  trust  not." 

"Pardon  me,  Imtl  have  mistaken  your 
<entimeuts  all  along,"  saiu  the  youth— Mel- 
rille  Dare— boldly. 

"  I  have  lieen  led  to  tclieve  that  your  heart 
was  with  the  cause  of  the  South." 

"lam  a  Uuiou  girl,"  was  the  prortipt  re- 
ply. "You  have  misjudged  me  from  Mr. 
Dueroy's    standpoint.    Although    tho   roof 


for  I  do  nut  waul  tupaiii  iinii.  Hulias  treated 
me  as  lic'  wuuUl  treat  a  cliilil  fur  many  years. 
lam  niucli  attached  tu  him,  but  1  cannot 
think  as  he  does  about  this  war.  I  have 
made  a  confession  to  you,  Melville,  because 
I  do  not  want  to  deceive  you.  I  cauuot  go 
with  you  in  your  opinions,  but  I  will  not  be- 
tray you.  Let  me  advise  you  to  give  up  this 
hazardous  role  of  spy,  and,  if  you  must  go 
with  the  South,  go  with  her  in  the  ranks— a 
soldier." 

leard  the  gii'l's  last   words 

\i\.   after  a  silence.     "Gen- 
iast(.ldme   tliat  1  was   cut 
nl  .«pv,  but  I  do  not  believe 
it." 

"  Neither  do  I,"  said  the  girl.     "We  will 
still  bo  friends,    whatever  you  do  for  the 
South ;  but  I  wish  >  ou  would  tak< 
vice  and  remain  with  us." 

"With  the  North'/" 

"  No,  with  the  government,  which  is  the 
right." 

"  1  cannot,  Nettie.    The  die  is  cast." 

Nettie  Knux  dill  not  answer,  but  turned 
her  fare  fi'uiu  her  lumpauion,  and  appeared 
to  be  watuliin;;  MVcral  pairs  of  promenaders 
some  distance  auay. 

While  she  was  thus  engaged,  the  young 
Southerner  started  abruptly  and  spoke : 

"Your  father  is  beckoning  for  me,"  he 
said. 

"  My  guardian,  you  meau  ?" 
I      "Ah!   yes.    Nettie,  I  always   forget  that 
'  Ducroy  is  no  more  than  your  guardian,  be- 
cause he  ha.s  been  so  kind  to  you.    You  will 
excuse  me  until  I  see  what  he  wants?" 

"Certainly;  but  remember,"  laughed  the 
girl,  "after"  to-night,  you  play  the  spy  no 
longer." 

"1  will  not  forget,"  was  the  reply,  as  Mel- 
ville turned  and  moved  toward  Ducroy,  who 
stood  a  short  distance  away  anxiously  wait- 
ing for  him. 

"  I  have  succeeded  bejond  my  most  san- 
guine expectations,"  said  the  congressman, 
in  a  low  tone,  as  the  young  Southerner  came 
up.  "  Jessup  is  a  regular  old  give  away.  He 
actually  regretted  that  he  had  no  more  to 


Melv 

lie 

T>nn 

with  1) 

H  lie 

out  foi 

a  r. 

my  ad- 


tell  me  than  he  had.  If  ViH-\e  Sam  has  a 
few  more  such  ofllcers,  oiirsuc(«ssis  assured. 
I  have  the  password,  the  exact  numbers  of 
McDowell's  forces— in  short,  mv  boy,  every- 
thinjr  tliat  w.-  wanted." 

"(luu.l!' .Ja.nlatedMelville  Dare.  "For 
a  liist-ilass  piini])  commend  me  to  General 
Jcssnp,  V.  S.  A." 

"  Ves,  yes!  tlie  old  curmudgeon.  Now, 
here  is  the  letter  for  Beauregard.  It  will 
reach  him  before  morning,  because  you 
carry  it.  Take  the  Long  Bridge  route  and 
deliver  the  mes.iage  as  soon  as  i)ossit)le. 
'Washington' is  the  cunnterr<ii;n;  it  will  cairv 
you  thruafih.  Nuw,  .lu  y.mr  .luly,  and  !»• 
rewarded  in  tlic  fntinu.  " 

Du<-ruv,  as  lie  lini>ln.(l,  tin.  u  a  ^it;uili(■allt 
.•rlaiice  tuwaid  his  ward,  Avhu  was  buwiug  to 
a  yunii^:  I'liiun  captain  who  had  just  joined 

'■;N'uliu(ly  suspects  your  mission  here  to- 
iiiirlit.  Melville,  "  continued  the  congressman, 
"  Indeed,  Jessup  told  me  that  he  understood 
that  you  expect  to  enlist  in  the  Yankee 
army." 

"Did  the  old  fellow  swallow  that?" 
laughed  Dave.  "I  gave  it  to  him  over  our 
glasses  at  Williar.i's  last  night;  ha,  ha,  ha! 
Have  yon  anytbiri.a-  fur  me  to  atteud  to  this 


'  Yes. 


i.n?" 


shun  the  tulluw."  said  Mcl- 
:  1  caught  a  glimpse  of  jiim 
nigh  to  enable  me  to  recog- 


We  shared  the  same 


■  uiig  captain,  clad  in  Union 
<i>r  was  about  Melville's  age 
not  (he  Southerner's  superior 


fill  girl  who  waved  him  a  good-night. 

Melville  walked  rapidly  from  the  spot, 
and  did  not  stop  until  he  found  himself  in  a 
certain  part  of  the  capital  some  distance 
from  the  Ducroy  mansion. 

Before  him  stood  a  large,  but  plain  house, 
whose  bell  he  rang,  and  beyond  whose 
threshold  he  passed  when  the  door  was 
opened. 

Tun  minutes  latui-.a  Iiursemanrodefrom  an 
alli'v  in  Ihu  riMrui  the  huiise,  and  set  off  at  a 
smart  raiilir  InH-nd  lliu  Long  Bridge  which 
v«Bs  the  lii-liwa\'  lu  Ki.liniond. 

This  huis.inan  had  Melville  Dare's  phys- 
ique— his  eyes  and  his  miistauhu;  but  liis 
whole  face 'was  uuvurud  bv  a  blauk  liuard. 

Notwitlislaiidinjr  th<-  latiMiuss  ul  llu^  Iumii'. 
many    peui.lu    wne     jiii  ^sin^;    tuward    the 


put 


itar 


men,  pussussed  the  prevailing'  cuuutersign 
which  of  course  had  a  similar  effect. 

When  near  the  great  bridge,  the  particular 
horseman  whom  we  have  described,  found 
himself  compelled  to  slacken  his  speed.  It 
was  apparent  that  he  did  not  want  to  in- 
cite notice,  for  he  sought  no  company, 
and  seldom  replied  to  remarks  addressed  to 
him  by  convivial  parties. 

When  he  reached  the  sentries  he  leaned 
forward  and  spoke  the  word  which  Ducroy 
had  assured  Melville  Dare  was  the  counter- 
sign. 

It  had  the  desired  effect ;  and  the  guard 
stepped  aside  to  let  him  pass  on. 

Ouce  across  the  bridge  and  clear  of  the 
tide  of  human  beings,  whose  destination 
seemed  to  be  Alexandria,  the  horseman  put 
spurs  to  his  horse  and  sped  down  the  Centre- 
ville  road. 

The  Potomac  was  behind  him,  and  he  was 
now  on  the  soil  of  Virginia,  with   his   face 


turned  toward  a  spot  soon  to  become  a  his- 
turii-  batlleHeld. 

Not  long  alter  he  had  left  the  river,  he 
could  look  over  his  shoulder  and  see  the 
lights  of  Alexandria. 

"  I  rather  like  this  life,"  he  said  to  him- 
self. "  It  is  exciting,  though  dangerou.s. 
Spies  are  not  always  hung.  The  fate  of  Hale 
and  Andre  is  a  scarecrow  that  ought  not 
to  friglilun  brave  men  who  owe  their  coun- 
try a  sui\  ii  u.  The  r.-'s  no  glory  in  marching 
up  to  a  uannuii  lu  ]>!■  blown  to  pieces.  I'll 
stick  tu  tlu- busiiHf.s   I   am   ii( 


tly  di 


■in,  and  laid  hi: 


"None  ii'  that  I  I  kin  see  wharyou  ve  put 
yer  hand,"  continued  the  same  voice,  as  tho 
clicking  of  a  lille-haramer  was  plainly 
heard.  "You'll  please  take  yer  fingers 
away,  or  I  may  have  to  help  you.  Do  you 
hear  me?" 

"Who  are  you?"  said  the  thunderstruck 
horseman,  leaning  forward,  aud  trying  to 
make  out  the  exact  whereabouts  of  his  con- 
frouter. 

"I'm  a  fellow  what's  goin'  to  have  some 
sport  in  this  difficulty  ou  his  own  hook — a 
sort  of  nil  independent  brigade  all  to  him- 
self. You  have  never  heard  of  Sharpshooter 
Dick,  mebbe ;  but  thar's  some  people  what 
have." 

The  listener  started,  and  littered  ail  ejacu- 

■■  .My  luu,.Mi.  ,'  hire  kinder  surprises  you, 
1  SIC,  ■  <uiitinnrd  the  mau  in  the  road. 
"  Diiln'f  cxiMci  lu  sec  me  in  this  perticular 
locality  y  1  ult.n  tuiii  up  u  liar  I'm  neither 
wanted  iiur  c-xpectcd.  >;u\\  lit'>  ;;ut  down 
to  busiiii  ,-s.     .lu>t    tuss    uu-   till  in   papers  for 


"  U  1  iliil,  1  wouldu't  miss  the  target  more 
than  a  iiiiiu,  "  was  the  quick  rejoinder. 
"What.yur   yuu   arc,    I   want   tliuin    docn- 

wheu  hu  knu\\s  ixautly  what  he  wants. 
I've  gut  Killlaa-k  at  niy  >-'huuhlur,  as  you  can 
see.  The  papcis^quic'k  1  ui-  l.y  .h-hn!  I'll 
get 'em  after  I've  tuurhuil  ih..  I'liL-uur." 

There  was  a  steriinu^.-,  in  ihu  last  words 
thattoldthe  horseman  Ihal  tin-  man  who 
stood  in  the  road  before  him  was  m^ttobe 
trifled  with. 

ee  him  plainlv,  for ^  __ 

^:ht.    "He 

the  broad-brimmed  hat,  and  the  hunting 
garments— cape  and  all. 

Sullenly,  he  drew  Irum  his  inside  breast 
pocket  a  large  cm  ulope,  -which  he  held  back 
for  a  moment,  as  if  he  was  not  going  to  com 
ply  with  the  sriar|ish(iutri's  request. 

"That's  it:"  ux.hiinied  Dick.  "That's 
the  do'  11111.  lit  r  «  ant.  T.i^s  'er  here,  an' go 
on  or  turn  ba.  k,  j.s'  as  y.iii  ]ilease." 

Theii.xt  III. nil.  Ill  sum. ■thing  fell  at  the 
feet  ul  til.'  shai  psh.H.l.  r,  and  he  stepped 
asid.",  but  dill  nut  luw.a- )iis  rifle. 

"Nui\  lak..  \ir  .  hoi.  .■  li.'t  ween  Washing- 
ton ai-i.l  i;iaui.:;aiil,  "  he  continued,  ad- 
dressiim  Ih.-  liurs.inaii,  whu  was,  of  c-ourse, 
Melville  D.nv.  "  (iuin'  ah.'ad,  eh  ?  Mebbe 
you  knuw  what's  in  lliu  envelope.  If  you 
do,  why,  yiai  kin  t.'ll  K.aim-irard.  You  kin 
look  fur  111.' in    Ih.'    hi-    li-ht    ^vllen  it  comes 

"  111  luuk  r.M-  yuu,  never  fear!"  shot  from 
li.tu.'.n  .\l.'l\i|],'  Dare's  clinched  teeth,  as 
h.' stiuik  his  h.iis.'  madly  with  the  spurs, 
aii.l    wi  lit    by    Sharpshooter   Dick  like  an 

"That's  the  kind  o'  promise  I  like,"  was 
the  respon.se.  "  Thar's  nothin'  mean  about 
Diclc  Griswold,  if  he  was  raised  on  bear-meat 
in  the  muniitaius  of  A'irprinny.  Jes'  keep 
out  u'  ulil  Killl. lick's  nun:.'  il  v".'U  Avant  to  do 
the  (•unrcili'ia.y  iijii.h  sarM.'.-.  She's  the 
killiuirt'st  wi.a[..iii  in  tli.'  wh.,1.'  .■..untrv." 

Melville  Daiv  diil  nut  Ii.ar  all  th.'se  words, 
for  his  steed  had  carried  him  beyond  ear- 
shot. 

He  was  again  on  the  way  to  Beauregard, 
but  the  precious  documents  which  Ducroy 
had  intrusted  to  his  care,  had  been  forced 
from  him  at  the  rifle's  muzzle. 

In  the  moment  of  his  rage  and  chagrin, 
he  did  not  stop  to  think  what  might  befall 
the  congressman  if  Sharpshooter  Dick 
should  lay  the  papers  before  McDowell,  tli«- 
Union  general. 


Bhed,  Sharpshooter  Dick  turned  toward  th© 


THE  WA.R  LIBRARY. 


Union  army  at  AJexamlria.  He  was  no 
longer  afoot,  but  rode  ii  heatetl  horse,  which 
he  joined  at  the  road  side  shortly  after  plun- 
dering Melville  Dure. 

Satisfaction  beamed  on  the  sharpshooter's 
i-ountenauce,    and    victory    danced    in    the 


depths  of  his  keen  eye: 

quamt  Virginian  town,   with  whose  streets 


fie 


^l 


t  on  until  he  found  himself  in  the 


lie  seemed  very  familiar  for  one  who  had 
spent  the  greater  part  of  his  life  in  the 
luoiiutaius. 

He  attracted  the  attention  of  no  one,  for 
the  night  was  waning,  and  a  busy  day  was 
!*oim  to  dawn— the  day  of  McDowell's  fatal 
advance  toward  the  battlefield  of  Bull  Run. 

After  awhile.  Sharpshooter  Dick  halted 
V>e£ore  a  very  modest  little  frame  house  in 
one  of  the  dingy  back  streets,  and  rapped 
gently  on  the  door. 

It  was  immediately  opened  by  a  young 
girl  who  uttered  a  cry  of  joy  on  seeing  the 
sharpshooter,  and  stepped  aside  that  he 
might  enter  the  house. 

This  Dick  did  without  further  invitation, 
and  found  himself  in  a  little  apartment 
tolerably  well  lighted  by  a  lamp  that  occu- 
pied an  old-fashioned  mantel. 

"  Here  they  are,"  he  said,  vrith  enthusiasm, 
as  be  drew  forth  the  captured  papers,  and 
held  them  up  before  the  girl's  eyes.  "  I  told 
you  he  had 'em,  Lily !  I  know  Jim  Ducroy 
about  as  well  as  the  next  fellai'." 
■  The  girl,  who  was  very  handsome,  with  a 
graceful  figure,  sparkUng  black  eyes,  and  a 
wealth  of  curls  floating  around  an  oval  face, 
whose  contour  was  faultless,  clapped  her 
hands  with  delight,  and  sprung  forward  to 
look  at  the  big  envelope. 

"  What  will  General  Scott  say  when  he  sees 
those  papers?"  she  exclaimed. 

"  He  will  be  a  good  deal  older  than  he  is 
to-night  before  he  sees  them,  I'm  thinking," 
answered  the  sharpshooter.  "  I  wasn't  out 
to-night  for  anybody  but  ourselves,  Lily. 
If  I  am  not  mistaken,  these  papers  will 
prove  just  as  valuable  to  us  as  they  would  to 
Scott,  McDowell  or  any  of  the  Union  gen- 
erals. There  must  be  a  letter  on  the  inside 
signed    liy    tliat    swfrt-srented  congressman 

As  lif  inii,-l].'l,  till-  shai'iishooter  began  to 
open  ilir  cm  ilo[>c'.  Lily  held  the  light  in 
froiil  (il  him  whil.'  I)c  wurked  a  moment  at 


"Waal,  1  swan!"  exclaimed  Dick,  after 
glaueiug  over  the  several  papers  which  he 
drew  forth.  "Treason  worse  than  Arnold's 
ever  was,  Lilr.  But  it's  Jim  Ducroy,  all 
over.  Heie's  ;i  iiai"'i'  that  gives  Beauregard 
the  exact  luuiibri  ni  th.-  Yankee  troops  in 
McDowell's  ai  inv,  and  hcie's  another  chock- 
full  of  the  plans'lor  l)attle  fresh  from  the 
pen  of  somebody  that  knows;  an'  here's 
the  most  importaut  paper  of  all— the  one 
which  closes  by  saying  :  •  I  am,  my  dear  gen- 
eral, your  obedient  ser\ant,  James  Ducroy.' 
Aha!  Lily,  didn't  I  make  a  rich  haul  to- 
night ?  No  shrimps  in  the  net  this  time,  eh, 
girrr' 

The  fair  girl's  eyes  dilated  as  she  looked 
into  the  sharpshooter's  face,  and  joined  in 
his  laugh. 

"You've  got  to  be  the  keeper  of  these 
papers— not  the  government  at  Washing- 
ton," he  continued,  addressing  her.  "  Why. 
Scott  would  arrest  Ducroy  five  minutes 
after  he  had  mastered  their  ooiiteiils,  and 
the  rope  wuiil.i  i-ihiirlid  his  ui-ik  ainl  f^'i- 
ever  prevent  r■■■^lllutil■ll.  No,  Lil\,  lh,,-,c 
documents  must  ?tav  lic-rc.  I'm  not  the  iii-r- 
sou  to  kci'p  rill,  I..r  I'm  '^oiug  foi^vard  with 
thel)lui-i(>ai>  to-im.i  i,,H.  Melville  Dare,  the 
con^;i<  s>iiiaii  -  m.  •^„.ui;l^,  and  the  pigeon  I 
pliu-liid  lii-ui-ht,  lias  [Moiuised  to  meet  me 
whercvi'i  tin-  armiis  lu.i^agi-,  and,  of  course, 
I  wimklu't  disappoint  liim  tor  the  world. 

Shurpshootei-  Dit'k  placed  the  captured 
papers  ill  the  girl's  hands  as  he  finished 
speaking,  and  lelt  the  chair  to  stand  proud- 
ly beside  her. 

It  was  a  pretty  tableau— the  sharpshooter, 
clad  in  his  rough  but  striking  backwoods 
costume,  and  the  young  girl  with  her  plain 
garments  and  lovely  face. 

They  were  lovers,  of  course. 

Several  years  before,  Dick  Griswold  had 
drifted  into  Alexandria,  there  to  encounter 
his  future  fate  in  the  eyes  of  Lily  Donway. 
The  girl's  mother  was  living  at  that  time, 
but  siu6e  then  death  nad  taken  her  away, 
leaving  the  girl  entirely  alone  to  support 
herself  with  the  needle,  which  she  plied  with 
an  industry  that  kept  the  little  home  which 
she  inhabited  her  own,  and  euabled  her  to 
keep  a  meager  sum— enough  for  the  prov- 
erbial "rainy  day"— in  a  savings  bank  at 
the  capital. 

Time  was  when  the  Donways  were  not  in 
■uch    reduced    circumstances;    but    it    was 


when  Li'.y  was  a  babe,  and  far  from  Alex- 
andria. 

Abner  Don  way  was  a  flourishing  farmer 
in  one  of  the  then  new  western  states.  To 
his  ruin,  he  was  of  a  speculative  turn  of 
mind,  always  to  eager  to  amass  riches  hastily 
by  investments. 

"He  had  a  home  and  a  nice  farm  ;  but,  in 
an  unlucky  day,  both  slipped  away. 

A  speculative  company— in  other  words, 
a  gigantic  scheme  of  fraud— was  devised  by 


headed  by  a  man  who  shall  be  nameless 
in  this  chapter. 

The  plans  of  the  vultures  succeeded  only 
too  well,  and  one  morning  the  Donways  rose 
to  discover  that  they  had  no  longer  a  home 
which  they  could  call  their  own. 

Abner's  wife  had  believed,  with  her  too 


gaged  their  home  to  obtain  money  to  put 
into  the  scheme,  which,  in  their  eyes,  was  to 
yield  such  golden  profits,  and  it  was  taken 
from  them. 

After  the  crisis,  Abner  Donway's  mind 
failed  him,  and  at  last  the  grave  closed  over 
the  sorrows  of  a  broken-hearted  man. 

The  widow  and  her  only  child,  Lily,  then 
a  prattling  babe,  were  thrown  upon  the 
mercies  of  an  uncharitable  world.  They 
had  to  begin  anew.  The  mother  struggled 
bravely  against  the  tide. 

They  lived  in  many  places  before  they 
took  up  their  residence  in  Alexandria,  where, 
by  industry  and  diligence,  they  won  a  little 
home,  and  were  living  happily  beneath  its 
roof  when  death  called  the  mother  away  and 
left  Lily  alone  in  the  world. 

Her  beauty,  growing  daily  like  a  lovely 
plant,  in  the  very  shadow  of  the  Capitol,  as 
It  were,  could  not  but  attract  attention.  She 
might  have  scores  of  suitors  if  she  had  not 
shown  a  decided  preference  for  the  hand- 
some hunter  who  came  occasionally  to  Alex- 
andria, and  always  to  her  little  home. 

To  Sharpshooter  Dick  she  had  told  the 
story  of  her  life,  keeping  back  nothing, 
though  a  part  of  the  narrative  was  always 
told  in  tea***. 

Then  it  was  that  the  bronzed  and  sym- 

gathizing  fellow  would  bring  his  clinched 
and  down  upon  the  little  sewing-table,  and 
declare  that  one  of  these  days  the  past 
should  be  atoned  for  and  restitution  should 
be  made. 

Let  us  return  to  the  night  which  has  wit- 
nessed the  events  we  have  recorded  in  the 
preceding  chapters  and  the  first  part  of 
this. 

During  the  days  of  which  we  write  the 
secrets  of  the  Union  generals  were  poorly 
kept. 

The  whole  North,  and  the  South  for  that 
matter,  knew  that  McDowell  was  going  to 
advance  upon  Manassas,  and  the  order  in 
which  the  march  would  be  made. 

Almost  every  barouche  in  Washington  had 
been  engaged  by  congressmen  and  other 
prominent  men ,  who  were  going  to  form  a 
part  of  the  grand  army  about  to  move. 

Nobody  attempted  to  check  this  foolish- 
ness, for  those  high  in  authority  believed 
that  the  Confederates  would  be  speedily  de- 
feated, and  that  the  army  would  rest  awhile 
at  Mauiissas,  and  then  push  on  to  Richmond. 

Never  were  "good  judges"  so  terribly  de- 
.  .n  ('(1  before. 

A  part  of  these  congressional  barouches 
had  alieady  crossed  the  Long  Bridge,  and 
were  at  Alexandria.    More  were  to  come. 

Among  the  number  first  mentioned  was 
one  drawn  by  two  niaiiuitlecnt  iron-grays  in 
silver-mounted  harness. 

The  vehicle— a  si)lendid  carriage,  with 
windows  of  thick  plate  glass— stood  in  front 
of  a  prominent  building  occupied  by  a  since 
celebrated  Union  officer. 

The  carriage  was  quite  empty  as  it  stood 
in  the  gray  dawn,  but  the  coloicd  <narhman 
in  dark  blue  coat  and  gilt  iiiill.ms  stood  on 
the  sidewalk  ready  to  immiil  to  his  prnh. 

He  was  evidently  waitiiiu' fnr  Miiiii'  mie  in 
the  building,  for  he  cast  numerous  anxious 
glances  toward  the  door,  before  which  stood 
a  bluecoated  guard. 

Suddenly,  voices   were  heard  within   the 


arm.  The  couple  were  followed  by  two 
men,  one  in  a  brigadier  general's  uniform, 
the  other  in  a  regulation  suit  of  congres- 
sional broadcloth. 

"  An  elegant  turnout,  Ducroy  I"  exclaimed 
the  brigadier,  catching  sight  of  the  hand- 
some grays  and  the  magnificent  carriage. 
"Should  occasion  require,  your  team  will 
bring  you  quickly /rom  the  battlefield." 

"  Do  you  think,  general,  that  we  may  re- 


turn with  drooping  featherefrom  the  battle- 
field?" asked  the  beautiful  girl,  who  had 
just  seated  herself  in  the  carriage. 

"Not  at  all,  Nettie,"  was  the  quick  an- 
swer. "  Our  march  to  the  field  of  victory 
—if  the  enemy  even  show  fight,  which  I 
doubt — is  to  be  a  certain  one.  Look  at  our 
magnificent  army  as  you  are  driven  through 
it.  Such  a  force  was  never  defeated.  Calm 
all  your  fears,  Nettie,  disaster  is  not  to  be 
thought  of." 

"Thank  you,"  replied  Nettie  Knox,  for  the 
young  girl  in  the  carriage  was  Ducroy's 
ward.  "Mr  Ducroy  does  not  fear  disaster, 
and  I  am  glad  to  have  you  confirm  his  belief. 
Our  reception  last  night  was  a  delightful 
affair,  do  you  not  think  so  ?" 

"It  was  elegant!  You  certainly  did  not 
catch  any  repose  to  be  here  at  this  early 
hour." 

Nettie  Knox  laughed. 

"  I  slept  an  hour,  thank  you ;  and  I  do  not 
feel  the  worse  for  it  this  morning.  I  may 
not  be  able  to  keep  awake  all  the  way  to  the 
battlefield,  but  I  must  not  forget  your  re- 
quest for  me  to  see  all  I  can  of  our  gallant 
army." 

Ducroy  had  now  entered  the  carriage,  and 
farewells  were  exchanged. 

The  general's  horses  had  been  brought  to 
the  door,  and,  as  they  mounted,  the  coach- 
man in  blue  and  gilt  spoke  to  the  grays,  and 
the  carriage  moved  off. 

"  We  are  off  for  the  battlefield,  Nettie," 
said  Ducroy.  "  I  believe,  with  the  general, 
that  it  will  not  be  much  of  a  fight ;  it  will 
end  in  a  stampede,  if  I  mistake  not,  of  mj- 
friends  on  the  other  side." 

He  leaned  toward  his  beautiful  ward  as  he 
spoke,  and  his  eyes  were  full  of  anticipated 
triumph. 

"What  did  Captain  Constance  have  to  say 
last  night?  I  saw  him  talking  to  you  undei 
the  tree  ?" 

A  slight  blush  crept  over  Nettie's  cheeks. 

"  He  spoke  of  nothing  that  I  now  recall,' 
she  said. 

"I  trust  not,"  responded  Ducroy,  quickly, 
"  There  are  better  men  than  Captain  Con- 
stance. Nettie,  you  have  reached  an  age 
when  you  must  think  of  affairs  that  will  ren- 
der you  happy  the  rest  of  your  life.  I  am 
not  going  to  go  into  details  here ;  it  is  not  the 
place  for  them ;  but  I  may  say  that  I  have 
your  welfare  deeply  grounded  in  my  heart, 
and  that  I  have  selected  a  husband  for  you— 
a  young  man  whom,  I  doubt  not,  you  would 
have  chosen  yourself." 

"  Ah !  you  are  very  considerate,"  exclaim- 
ed the  blushing  beauty,  with  a  slender  vein 
of  sarcasm  in  her  tone.  "  Since  you  have  pro- 
ceeded so  far  on  this  delicate  ground,  I  am 
going  to  inquire  upon  whom  your  choice  has 
fallen?" 

Ducroy  did  not  hesitate. 

"  Melville  Dare  is  his  name  I" 

Nettie  did  not  start;  she  was  not  taken  by 
surprise. 

"  You  will  let  me  know  more  than  I  do  of 
Mr.  Dare?"  she  said. 

"You  know  him  well  already." 

"Yes;  but  not  well  enough " 

"Not  well  enough  to  love  him,  eh, 
Nettie?" 

"  I  confess  it,"  she  answered,  and  then  con- 
tinued, firmly  :  "  I  do  not  love  Melville  Dare. 
I  do  not  think  I  could  ever  love  him  enough 
to  become  his  wife." 

"This  is  nonsense,  Nettie,"  and  Ducroy's 
hand  closed  on  his  ward's  wrist.  "  I  begin  to 
see  what  I  have  feared.  You  don't  like  Mel- 
ville, but  you  do  love  this  bluecoat«d  cap- 
tain who  had  your  ear  an  hour  last  night. 
Come,  do  not  deny  it  I  He  is  against  us  in 
this  contest;  Melville  is  our  ally.  You  must 
get  over  your  foolishness !  Your  future  hus- 
band has  been  selected.  I  do  not  want  you 
to  forget  this!" 

The  eyes  that  met  the  congressman's  gaze 
seemed  to  beam  with  defiance  foramoment; 
but  they  almost  immediately  softened,  and 
Nettie  turned  away  and  looked  out  of  the 
carriage  window. 

All  this  on  the  way  to  Bull  Run. 


CHAPTER  rV. 

BULL  RTJN. 

Bull  Run. 

What  thoughts  cluster  around  the  historic 
name  as  we  pen  it  more  than  twenty-one 
years  after  the  fatal  day  that  bequeathed  it 
to  the  deathless  pages  of  history ! 

Although  it  was  not  the  first  battle  that  took 
place  between  the  two  great  sections  of  our 
common  country,  arrayed  then  against  one 
another,  the  opening  of  the  great  war  is 
really  dated  from  it. 

Few  speak  now  of  Cheat  Mountain,  Carni- 

X  Ferr  =  ^-      -"       >--,,^,— x...*  j 

ed  Bull  ] 


THE  WAR  LIBRARY. 


Their  Tietories  have  been  swallowed  up  by 
the  one  great  disaster  that  darkens  the  rec- 
ord of  the  year  '61. 

The  Union  army,  which  had  been  stationed 
at  Alexandria,  moved  forward  ou  the  six- 
teenth of  July,  butit  was  not  until  the  morn- 
ing of  the  twenty-first,  owing  to  numerous 
delays,  that  it  approached  the  real  battle- 
ground. 

While  the  front  of  McDowell's  magnificent 
columns  was  a  brilliant  line  of  blue,  the  rear 
of  the  army  was  a  sight. 

We  need  not  refer  to  it  further  than  to  say 
that  it  oousisted  of  a  motley  crowd  of  spec- 
tators, men  in  carriages,  ou  horseback,  and 
in  vehicles  of  every  description. 

Members  nf  congress,  newspaper  reporters, 
mercliants,  siuTuiators,  .judges,  preachers 
and  otlicfs  vvddf  u\>  this  crowd, 

Seiiii' 1,1  (ill- turnouts  were  drawn  Ixy  four 
horses,  aii'l  tin;  uIkjU' scene  had  the  appear- 


songs  were  sung,  and 
e  march  to  Bull  Run ; 
lis  idotcy  displayed  on 


Toasts  v,.M( 
jokes  irackc- 
there  was  la 
theretuiai  t.i 

It  was  six  o'clock  un  the  licautilul  Sab- 
bath morning  of  the  twciitv-liist.  wluai 
Tyler's  thirty-poiiud  rill.d  I'am.tt  t;uii 
broke  the  calm  of  tlie  pcacclul  dawn,  ami 
told  the  Union  commander  that  he  was  in 
position,  and  ready  tor  the  conUict. 

Shortly  afterward,  the  roar  of  Hunter's 
guns  announced  that  he  had  engaged  the 
enemv— and  all  along  the  line  raged  the 
battle. 

The  contest  soon  became  spirited,  as  the 
blood  of  the  combatants  grew  heated. 

Most  of  the  Union  troops  were  raw  men, 
fresh  from  the  workshops  and  fields  of  the 
north;  but  they  met  the  foe  gallantly,  and 
fought,  where  theflght  washottest,  with  the 
coiii-age  of  veterans. 

"  You'll  never  come  back  alive  if  you  at- 
tempt to  creep  nearer  to  that  breastwork," 
said  a  young  officer  to  a  man  whose  hunting 
clothes  were  fringed  along  the  buckskin 
seams. 

"  I  reckon  Dick  Griswold  knows  his  busi- 
ness, captain,"  was  the  response.  "  I'm  here 
under  no  orders;  an'  I  guess  Killbuck  an'  I 
will  do  pretty  much  as  we  ijlease.  I'm  in 
this  battle  on  my  own  hook,  an'  you'll  ex- 
cuse me  if  I  go  where  I  like,  whether  you 
want  me  to  or  not." 

The  Union  officer  made  no  reply,  and 
Sharpshooter  Dick  crept  forward  to  a  tree 
upon  which  he  had  fastened  his  eyes. 

It  was  some  distance  in  advance  of  a  part 
of  the  Union  army,  and  not  far  from  some 
stout  breastworks  which  the  Confederatts 
had  thrown  up,  and  manned  well  with  some 
destructive  cannon,  whose  shells  were 
screamingand  bursting  through  the  wood. 

"Now,  Killbuck,  do  your  duty,"  said  the 
mountaineer  to  his  handsome  rifle.  "Jes' 
show  the  rebs  that  you  can  bring  down  all 
kinds  of  game.  We'll  give  'em  an  opener 
now,  jes'  to  let  'em  know  that  we're  in  the 
vicinity." 

At  that  moment  a  Confederate  approach- 
ed one  of  the  cannon  for  the  purpose  of  dis- 
charging it. 

The  cool  breeze  had  lifted  the  smoke  of 
the  last  discharge,  and  the  figure  of  the  ar- 
tilleryman could  be  distinctly  seen. 

His  hand  was  about  to  perform  its  duty 
when  the  sharpshooter's  rihe  spoke,  and  the 
soldier  dropped  out  of  sight. 

"One — the  first  man!"  said  Sharpshooter 
Dick,  thrusting  another  cartridge  into  his 
rifle.  "  Now,  there's  another  chap  what's 
mighty  anxious  to  let  that  same  cannon  off. 
Look  out  for  your  brainpan,  my  friend  !" 

The  deadly  riflo  spoke  again,  and  the 
second  ( '(infrderate  reeled  from  the  gun. 

"You  havi'iit  forjrot  ycr  cunning,  Kill- 
buck!"  I'jaculatcil  Dick."  "You've  stirred 
up  a  hornets'  n<st  lic-hiud  that  cannon,  for 
the  graycoats  are  determined  to  fire  it  off. 


keep  that  gim  silenced,  and  I  reckon  Kill- 
buck's  equal  to  the  occasion.  Thar's  the 
third  unfortunate  at  the  gun.  I'll  only  send 
him  to  the  hospital.  " 

Killbuck  spoke  again,  and  the  Confederate, 
whose  bravery  was  not  to  be  doubted,  stag- 
gered from  the  cannon  with  a  wild  cry,  as 
the  bullet  crushed  through  his  shoulder. 

Sharpshooter  Dick  had  hardly  achieved 
this  success,  when  a  perfect  rainstorm  of 
balls  whistled  around  him. 

"Found  me  out,  have  ye?"  he  exclaimed. 
"  I  was  afraid  you  wouldn't  let  me  have  my 
own  way  very  long.  Jes'  so  you  don't  open 
on  me  with  the  big  guns,  I  don't  care.  I'll 
send  back  my  compUments  for  the  shower 
ye've  jes'  sent  me." 

For  some   time  the  daring  sharpshooter 


sent  his  deadly  missiles  among  the  sup- 
porters and  workers  of  the  Confederate  bat- 
tery. 

His  position  was  well  known,  for  whole 
volleys  of  musketry  were  devoted  to  him, 
with  no  more  result,  as  far  as  he  was  con- 
cerned, than  the  barking  of  the  tree  that 
sheltered  him. 

He  was  safe  where  he  was  from  the  heavy 
guns,  for  their  muzzles  could  not  be  depress- 
ed enough  to  shelter  the  Confederate  gun- 
ners when  they  stood  erect. 

Unconscious  of  the  battle  raging  around 
him.  Sharpshooter  Dick  continued  to  fight 
on  his  own  hook  from  behind  the  tree  that 
sheltered  him.  Not  a  shot  was  thrown 
away. 

At  last  the  Confederates  adopted  a  plan 
that  threatened  to  put  an  end  to  the  havoc 


at  the  cost  of  his  lite. 

Haviii:;  sighted  a  living  tariret,  he  was 
about  to  lii-e.'when  a  lailld  wliisfled  so  close 
to  Ills  head  that  he  was  tliri)"  ii  back,  and  lay 

'  "Thafs  K\uit  i  lall  ariose  shiive,  Kill- 
buek,"  he  eja.nlaleil,  as  he  got  up  again. 
•■  Tliev'ie  jilaviiiii  liie  sliarpshootiu' game  ou 
us,  aiV  if  they  improve  a  little  on  the  last 
shot,  by  Ueorge!  we'll  not  go  to  Richmond 
with  McDowell  an'  his  blueooats.  We'll 
have  to " 

Whiz!  came  a  second  bullet,  and  the 
mountaineer's  hat  dropped  at  his  feet  per- 
forated through  and  through,  and  having  in 
its  crown  a  lock  of  hair. 

"They're  improvin',"  muttered  Sharp- 
shooter Diek.  as  lie  stared  for  a  moment  at 
the  lock  which  he  took  from  the  hat  and  ex- 
amined. "I'll  jes' keep  this  for  Lily.  She'll 
shudder  when  t  tell  her  what  cut  it  off,  but 
the  ne.xt  moment  she  will  clap  her  hands  an' 
say  that  she's  glad  it  warn'tmy  head.  Now, 
my  graycoated  brother,  I'll  discover  your 
whereabouts  an'  pay  you  back." 

Dick  was  confident  that  the  two  almost 
fatal  shots  had  been  fired  by  the  same  per- 
son, and  he  was  also  certain  that  the  hidden 
marksman  had  not  fired  over  the  breast- 
work. 

He,  therefore,  had  recourse  to  an  old  trick, 
which  will  deceive  a  foe  when  all  other  de- 
vices fail. 

Drawing  his  ramrod,  he  placed  his  hat  on 
it,  and  pushed  it  slowly  around  the  tree 
about  two  feet  above  the  grass. 

The  hat  was  not  permitted  to  remain  there 
long  by  the  vigilant  Confederate  sharp- 
shooter. A  loud  ringing  report  followed 
Dick's  action,  and  the  hat  spun  half  way 
round  on  the  ramrod  and  fell  to  the  ground ! 

"  That's  the  time  you  uncovered  yourself ! " 
exclaimed  Dick.  "  Got  up  in  a  tree  to  finish 
me,  I  see.  Never  thought  of  looking  there 
for  you." 

Above  the  Confederate  breastwork  rose  a 
number  of  trees  which  were  well  covered 
with  foliage.  From  one  of  these  after  the 
last  shot,  came  a  puff  of  light  smoke,  which 
told  the  Union  mountaineer  that  his  enemy 
was  siiiiiewliere  anmiiL;-  tlie  branelies. 


(l)i<- 


self  uph.to 
most  driven  ; 


Having    tllUS  lli^c.lVel  e.l     iii^iplaee    1111,111- 

cealment,  ssharpslidoter  \n,k  l:;y  in  tlnvufass 
at  the  foot  nl'  the  tree  wiili  liis  eyes  fastened 
on  the  spot  he  intended  to  watch. 

Five— tell— lifteen  minutes  jjassed  away, 
and  he  had  not  stirred. 

He  was  waiting  for  the  sharpshooter  in  gray 
to  come  to  the  conclusion  that  his  last  shot 
had  taken  cflect. 

At  last,  one  of  the  boughs  was  bent  down- 
ward by  an  unseen  hand,  and  the  face  of  the 
man  in  the  tree  was  exposed  to  the  watchful 
mountaineer. 

"  Thank  ye,"  murmured  Dick,  as  he  touched 
the  trigger,  and  the  next  instant  an  object 
that  looked  like  a  human  being,  tumbled 
from  the  tree  and  was  lost  t«  sight  behind 
the  Confederate  parapet ! 

"Y'er  curiosity  got  the  better  of  you  at 
last,"  exclaimed  the  sharpshooter.  "Now, 
mebbe  some  of  yer  comrades  want  to  try  the 
tree  game;  but  I  reeknn  yer  fate  will  keep 
'em  from  makin'  feels  nl  llieinselves." 

For  several  miuiil  est  he  viitori.. us  mount- 
aineer enjoyed  coni]jarativ<>  ipiiet  behind 
his  tree;  but  the  fall  of  his  last  man  had  to 
be  avenged. 

Volley  after  volley  was  poured  over  the 
brea:5twork,  and  he  was  forced  to  contract 
his  body  into  a  smaller  place  than  it  had 
ever  been  contracted  into  before. 

His  enemies  were  determined  that  he 
should  not  escape. 


the  next  instant  a  bullet  buried  itself  in  the 
tree  just  above  his  head— a  bullet  that  came 
from  liehind  him  ! 

"Ashettioni  the  rear!"  he  cried,  instinct- 
ively tin  nini;,  Imt  taking  good  care  as  he 
did  SI),  net  I.I  exi.iise  his  body  to  the  Con- 
federates beliiiiil  tlie  breastwork. 

He  soon  discovered  that  ii  small  party  of 
Confederates  was  creejiiiig  through  Hie  wood 
for  the  purpose  of  outllanking  him,  and  he 
doubted  not  that  the  shot  from  behind  had 
been  fired  by  one  of  the  number,  who  had 
caught  a  glimpse  of  him. 

His  position  was  now  very  dangerous,  as 
he  was  between  two  fires. 

"  We'll  stand  together,  Killbuck,"  he  said 
to  his  trusty  rifle.  "Now  show  them  sneak- 
in'  graycoats  that  we  know  what  they're  ui> 
to." 

He  had  caught  sight  of  a  figure  in  the  for- 
est not  far  away,  and  with  the  eye  of  thei 
keen  hunter  he  took  deliberate  aim  at  it. 

"That  man  is  Melville  Dare,"  he  muttered. 
"  He  said  he  would  meet  me  on  the  battle- 
field." 

He  was  about  ;-  (nntb  t!ie  ti-igger  when  a 
loud  "  Kiii'wai  !-  li  !"■  '  -M. lie  his  ear,  and 
i  ,        ,    iiii;;  suddenly 


itO' 


dashing  thniimli  i;,  ■  v  1  ;'t  a  eharge. 

It  was  an  inspiring  sight,  the  first  real 
charge  in  battle  Sharpshooter  Dick  had  ever 
seen. 

He  removed  his  eyes  from  Melville  Dare  to 
watch  the  blueooats  for  a  moment;  and  when 
he  returned  to  his  enemy,  the  young  Con- 
federate had  disappeared. 


CHAPTER  V. 


mCK  SPIKES  SOME  GUNS. 

The  Union  bi  i.:ade  which  had  been  ordered 
to  chai-ge  the  Confederate  breastwork  in 
front  of  Sharpshooter  Dick,  was  composed 
of  Western  troops,  and  newly  enlisted  men 
at  that. 

They  swept  forward  with  enthusiastiff 
cheers,  led  by  their  gallant  commanders. 

They  had  already  pioved  themselves  the 
sharpshooter's  rescuers,  and  the  savers  of 
Melville  Dare's  life. 

"Forward!  my  hearties !"  shouted  Sharp- 
shooter Dick,  as  he  sprung  up,  and  still  shel- 
tered from  the  rebel  guns  by  the  tree,  waved 
his  hat  encouragingly  to  the  blueooats.  "  By 
George!  you  look  well  on  a  charge;  but  look 
out  for  number  one.  There  are  twelve  big 
guns  beliiiiil  that  breastwork,  and  the  John- 
nies are  ready  for  you." 

Those  «iio  saw  Diek  answered  him  with 
loud  shouts,  and  the  left  wing  of  the  gallant 
brigade  almost  touched  him  as  it  swept  on. 

A  moment  later  a  sheet  of  flame  burst  into 
the  faces  of  the  Union  soldiers,  and  the  long 
line  involuntarily  wavered. 

"Jehos.ipliat!  "they're  gone!"  gasped  the 
sharpshooter.  ■■Another  vollev  like  that, 
an' they'll  not  find  aeor|„,ial  >  i^iiaid  at  roll 
callto-ni;;lil.  lliinah!  tlle^■  |.iefSoii;  they 
don't  iiiinil  the.  anniiii.  1  eant  slay  out  of 
that  mess.  1  must  have  a  hand  in  it.  Kill- 
way  he  sprung  to  overtake  the 


Its. 


are  Western  troops! 
<  uutaken.  Charge!" 
ine  on  again. 
guns  roared  in  the 

of  the  Union;  but 
iles  passed  over  their 

was  gained  before 
.a.led. " 

til  works  lushed  the 
~lioit  but.  desperate 
he  graveoats  either 


work  of  the  Confederate  can- 
non had  checked  the  line  for  a  minute,  and 
inthat  brief  time  the  mountaineer  gained  the 
shattered  lanks. 

"Forward,  men! 
The  breastwork  i  eii 

These  words  sent  I 

Oneelilor,.tlietw, 
faces, of    the    detVlu 

most  of  the  ill  ailly  i 
heads,  ami  tin-  \iAr; 
the  cannon  eoiilil  be 

PcU-inell  over  the 
Unionists,  anil  aft. 
hand  to  hand  loiiliii 
surrendered  or  fled. 

It  was  a  brilliant  little  charge,  but  one 
which  had  cost  the  assaulters  dear. 

Sharpshooter  Dick  had  been  one  of  the  first 
men  to  scale  the  parapet. 

His  strange  dress  caused  him  to  be  in- 
stantly recognized  by  a  dozen  Confederates, 
and  he  was  compelled  to  wage  a  desperate 
combat  with  clubbed  rifle,  until  a  squad  of 
blueooats  charged  his  foes  and  secured  his 
.safety. 

I'p  to  thii 
had    been 
Uuiou. 

Many  of  the  Confederates  were  in  full 
flight^their  entire  army,  in  fact,  had  been 
borne  back  a  mile  and  a  half,  and  Beaure- 
gard was  thinking  only  of  retreat. 

"Heavens!  what  does  that  mean?"  ex- 
claimed the  commander  of  the  victorious 
Union  brigade,  still  in  the  captured  entrench- 


THE  WAK  LIBRARY, 


ments,  as  a  new  roar  some  distance  in  his 
front  seemed  to  indicate  that  the  Confeder- 
ates had  heen  reinforced.  "  Can  it  be  that 
Patterson  has  failed  to  keep  Johnston  in 
checli  ?  If  he  has,  our  victory  may  yet  be 
turned  into  a  defeat." 

Tlie  staff  officers  stared  blankly  into  their 
general's  face  while  they  listened  with 
bated  breath  and  fear  wi  itten  on  every  linea- 
ment of  their  countenances. 

Ten  minutes  later  the  fears  of  the  Union 
general  were  confirmed. 

Johnston  had  slipped  away  from  the  vet- 
eran Patterson,  and,  with  ten  thousand 
fresh  troops,  had  attacked  the  exhausted 
Union  army. 

As  the  arrival  of  Blucher  at  Waterloo  had 
decided  that  memorable  battle,  so  the  arrival 
of  Johnston  at  Bull  Run  changed  the  tort- 
ivnes  of  the  day. 

"Many  of  our  trooDs  have  been  fighting 
constantly  for  thirteen  hours,"  continued 
the  brigadier ;  "  and  they  can't  withstand 
Johnston's  assaults." 

This  was  true. 

Johnston  struck  Hunter  and  Heintzelmau 
on  flank  and  in  the  rear;  he  came  down 
upon  the  huugiy  and  weary  troops  with  the 
resistless  force  of  a  thunderbolt. 

The  cheers— yells— of  the  Confederates 
were  distinctly  heard  by  the  little  brigade  in 
trenches  so  gallantly  won. 

Presently  a  disorderly  line  of  bluecoats 
came  in  sight. 

"My  God!  we  are  whipped !"  rang  from  a 
thousand  throats  at  once,  and  as  the  loosened 
and  influent  tide  came  on,  the  panic  in- 
creased, until  no  human  power  could  have 
controlled  it. 

"Stand  firm,  men!"  cried  the  brigadier, 
dashing  among  his  recoiling  men.  "  Show 
yourselves  soldiers  worthy  of  tlie  flag  that 
floats  over  you.  Let  the  cowards  run.  We 
must  hold  the  ground  we  have  won !" 

In  vain  were  these  words. 

A  panic  on  the  field  of  battle  is  generally 
catching. 

The  brigade  stood  for  a  time,  then  swayed 
toward  the  trenches,  and  a  minute  later  the 
men  were  scrambling  over  them  as  panic- 
stricken  as  the  troops  rushing  past  their  left 
flank. 

In  less  time  than  we  can  describe,  the 
whole  of  the  Union  centei-  was  in  full 
flight.  Men  were  running  for  their  lives  ; 
many  from  a  foe  they  had  not  seen  ;  throw- 
ing away  knapsacks,  guns  and  canteens— 
in  fact,  everything  that  in  the  least  retarded 
their  speed. 

It  was  one  of  the  most  painful  scenes  of 
the  whole  war. 

This  was  the  gallant  army  marshaled 
from  twenty  noble  states,  which  a  few  days 
before  had  inarched  past  the  National  Capi- 
tol with  flags  flying  and  drums  beating,  in 
all  the  "pomp  and  circumstances  of  war." 

The  Union  generals,  regardless  of  their 
own  lives,  attempted  to  check  the  troops, 
but  did  not  succeed. 

Burnside,  Porter,  Griffen  and  Sprague 
were  borne  back  by  the  receding  tide,  and 
barely  escaped. 

"On  to  Washington!"  was  now  the  cry, 
and  the  panic-stricken  army  came  down 
upon  the  conglomerate  mass  of  army  wag- 
ons, sutler  stores,  ambulances  and  vehicles 
of  every  description  that  blocked  up  the 
roads  in  the  rear  like  tin-  drnions  of  dcjoni. 

Sharpshooter  Itiiks  ■  v'.--  luirly  Ihishnl 
when  he  saw  th(^  briuiui'-  (icscit,  with  crit-s 
of  affright,  the  treiiih. -si  111  y  hid  won  with 
such  a  grand  displ;n'  nl  \:ilui'.  lie  did  all  he 
could  to  ell. -rk  th.'  li.l,-. 

■'  By  Jili(is;ipliat :  Killliuek  an'  me  will  re- 
main till  IIh-  last  hum  Muws !"  he  exclaimed. 
"The  {iraxroal- will  fi.-t  their  cannon  back, 
but  tluy  j-liah  1  (Infill  any  good.  As  long 
a;^  Iiii  a'hic  111  lii;h(  on  my  own  hook.  Uncle 
t^aiii  oaii  cloi.oiiil  oil  nil'  if  the  whole  army 
iior>  show  lis  haok  to  llu-  enemy!" 

The  next  minute  the  mountaineer  had 
sprung  to  the  nearest  cannon,  and  his  strong 
arm  was  sending  a  piece  of  iron  deep  into 
the  touch-hole. 

"  I'll  make  clean  work  of  this  job  as  I  go 
along,"  fell  from  his  lips.  "They  can't  shoot 
spiked  cannon,  they  tell  me.  Hurrah  for 
the  stars  and  stripes!" 

From  cannon  to  cannon, with  hammer  and 
spike,  leaped  the  sharpshooter,  regardless  of 
the  thrilling  scenes  transpiring  on  every  side. 

The  whole  army  was  now  in  full  retreat; 
the  panic  of  the  center  had  extended  to  the 
wings ;  and  the  frightened  thousands  were 
rushing  toward  Centreville. 

When  the  last  Confederate  gun  had  been 
spiked.  Sharpshooter  Dick  flung  the  ham- 
mer down, 'and  turned  to  seejthe  head  of  a 
column  of  Confederate  troops  dash  into 
view. 


"  What  a  target— a  real  general !"  he  cried, 
noting  the  handsome  officer  who  rode  a 
gray  horse  at  the  head  of  the  division  push- 
ing forward  with  loud  yells. 

The  sharpshooter's  rifle  struck  his  shoul- 
der; and,  with  a  moment's  aim,  he  pressed 
the  trigger,  then  looked  to  see  the  hand- 
some Confederate  reel  and  fall  from  his 
saddle,  while  the  horse,  thus  reUeved  of  his 
rider  came  dashing  directly  toward  Dick ! 

The  rebel  division  was  very  close  to  the 
sharpshooter  when  the  shot  was  fired,  and 
Dick  had  no  time  to  adjust  a  cartridge  be- 
fore the  steed  was  upon  him. 

He  leaped  aside  to  keep  from  being  tram- 
pled to  dea»h ;  then,  as  the  steed  reached 
him,  he  sprung  stiaight  at  the  bridle, 
clutched  it,  and  threw  himself  into  the 
saddle ! 

This  was  the  work  of  a  wonderfully  brief 
space  of  time;  and,  a  second  later,  the  horse 
was  careeri-ng  wildly  through  the  wood  of 
Bull  Ruu,  bearing  Sharpshooter  Dick  like  a 
meteor    in    the    wake    of    the   discomfited, 


-str 


;.ps 


"Run— run  I  "  he  shouted  in  the  ears  of 
several,  as  heswept  by,  to  be  cursed  by  them, 
because  he  was  mounted.  "  Don't  stop  till 
you  get  to  Washington!  Johnston- is  just 
behind  you.  He'll  beat  you  to  Centi-eville 
if  you  can't  ruu  taster  than  that!" 

The  shari>?!_iootnr's  heart  burned  with  in- 
dignation at  tln-smlii  he  was  compelled  to 
witness  as  ho  imlo  along,  eager  to  reach 
what  hail,  iliii  liii;  tin-  toreiioou's  battle,  been 
the  rear  ol  I  ho  Inioii  amiy. 

He  had  no  notion  of  continuing  his  flight 
to  WasL::.f;loii.  Ho  wanted  to  join  the 
motley  Irani  ol  haidnclios  and  omnibuses 
that  wtric-  tryin;;  to  outstrip  everybody  in 
the  race  to  the  capital. 

When  he  reached  them,  he  saw  a  sight 
which  ne  pen  can  describe. 

The  road  had  remained  choked  by  vehicles, 
until  the  artillery  tore  a  pathway  through, 
crushing  men  and  barouches,  and  disabling 
blooded  horses. 

It  was  oenfusion  worse  confounded — a 
spectacle  never  witnessed  before  nor  since 
upon  an  American  battlefield. 

"What's  that  horse  worth?"  cried  a  large 
man,  as  he  rushed  forward  and  seized  the 
bri.dle  of  Sharpshooter  Dick's  horse  which 
had  just  been  reined  in  to  let  a  flying  bat- 
tery go  by. 

"Whar's  yer  vehicle?"  asked  the  sharp- 
shooter, who  could  hardly  repress  a  smile  at 
the  man's  fright. 

"  Smashed !  a  shell  tore  through  it,  aud  the 
battery's  men  cut  my  horses  loose,  and  rode 
them  off.  I'm  a  member  of  congress  from 
Illinois.  For  God's  sake,  sir,  what  is  your 
horse  worth?  I  have  a  wife  in  Washington; 
think  of  it !" 

"  Thar's  right  whar  you  should  have  stay- 
ed,'" said  Dick.  "  This  boss  isn't  for  sale. 
You  lookstout  in  the  legs;  you  ought  to  ruu 
a  good  lick,  especially  siuce  you've  run  for 
congress  often.  What's  the  number  of  casu- 
alties In  the  congressional  regiment  here  to- 
day?" 

The  member  from  Illinois  gave  the  sharp- 
shooter, a  look  of  supreme  disgust,  and 
turned  away. 

Dick  was  about  to  pass  on,  when  he  heard 
behind  a  negro's  voice  which  he  thought  he 


recognize 

"  May  t 

chile    "W 


-xte 


war  in  dc  ca 
through  it  an 
bosses  started 
like  mad  not  t 
Janassas  Munc 
mount  de  veh 
place.  It  am 
She  am  dis  mit 


ih;  Lord  hab  mercy  on  de  bre; 
lien,  you'se  can't  imag 
astrophe.  De  young  h 
;^e    Avhen    de    shell    w 


It  ober.  Den  de 
liy  went  tearin' 
|i)lal  but  to'ards 
1  ai  jis'  about  to 
o  I  astrophe  took 
de  young  lady, 
ms  ob  d      '    " 


"Where  was  Ducroy  at  this  time'/"  asked 
a  white  man,  who  was  a  member  of  the 
group  of  well  dressed  but  dust  covered  men 
by  whom  the  excited  darkey  was  sm- 
rounded. 

"  He  hab  jis'  stepped  off  to  speak  to  some- 
body what  hab  handed  him  a  paper  an' 
backed  off.  I  habn't  see'd  'im  since,  gem- 
men.  De  fortunes  of  war  hab  annihilated 
de  hull  Ducroy  family !"  and  the  inconsol- 
able negro  broke  forth  into  a  piteous  waU 
that  rose  above  the  din  of  the  retreat. 

"It  is  Ducroy's  coachman!"  exclaimed 
Sharpshooter  Dick.  "Can  things  be  as  dis- 
astrous as  he  makes  them  out?  lam  ready 
to  believe  that  he  has  deserted  the  carriage 
—not  that  a  shell  crushed  through  it  while 
Nettie  was  seated  inside.  That  would  be 
horrible,  indeed!" 

An  instant  later,  Dick  had  irrged  his  horse 
into  the  midst  of  the  group,  and  his  hand 
fell  upon  the  darky's  shoulder. 


"  Look  here,  sir,"  he  said,  sternly.  "  Look 
me  in  the  eye  and  lie,  if  you  dare.  Was  Net- 
tie Knox  in  the  carnage  when  it  was 
struck?" 

"  'Pon  my  soul  she  was,  cunnel." 

"  And  the  horses  carried  the  shattered  ve- 
hicle toward  Manassas  Junction  ?" 

"True  as  gospel,  dey  did." 

Sharpshooter  Dick  was  satisfied  that  the 
darky  was  telling  the  truth. 

He  straightened  up  and  wheeled  his  steed. 

"Clear  the  track!"  he  shouted  to  the 
crowd.  "  Killbuck,  we've  got  a  new  duty  to 
perform.  By  Jehosaphat !  we'll  follow  that 
mad  team  if  it  carries  us  into  the  rebel  forts 
at  Manassas.  Strain  yourself,  old  boss.  You 
don't  carry  your  general  now;  but  you're 
on  a  better  mission  now  than  you  war  an 
hour  ago." 

He  swept  down  the  road  like  an  arrow. 

Fugitives  stopped  for  a  moment,  and  gaz- 
ed after  him  with  amazed  oountenances. 

"Yon  an' I  are  hard  to  beat,  Killbuck!" 
he  saiii.  frlaiioiiiK  at  the  rifle  he  carried  in  his 
left  lianil.  '■  Wo  ;;ot  in  some  good  work  for 
Uiioii-  Sam  lo-ilav,  an'  now  we've  got  to 
helpi.iott:   -         ■■■ 


shooter  Dick    drew    rein 


Auovoituniod  and  shattered  carriage  lay 
on  the  f,Monnd.  and  beside  it  a  woman's  hat. 

He  leaped  troni  the  saddle,  and  gained  the 
spot  by  a  single  bound. 

The  vehicle  lay  to  one  side  of  the  road  over 
which  the  army  had  just  rnshed,  defeated. 

He  could  see  no  signs  of  the  owner  of  the 
hat,  which  he  did  not  doubt  belonged  to  the 
congressman's  ward ;  but  he  approached  the 
carriage  itself,  and  put  his  head  in  at  one  of 
the  broken  windows. 

"  Helloo,  there!  Yank!  Do  you  sur- 
render T  ■ 

The  sharpshooter  straightened  at  the  voice, 


ed  their  gu 

"Not  while  I've  got  Killbuck  oumy  side!" 
was  the  response,  and  before  the  startled 
Confederates  could  move  or  act,  the  sharp- 
shooter's deadly  rifle  was  looking  into  their 
faces. 

The  tables  had  been  turned 


CHAPTER  VI.  ' 

THE  MAN  •WHO  WAS  COMPOSED. 

The  astonished  grayeoats  involuntarily 
recoiled  from  the  death  that  menaced  them. 

"  Throw  down  yer  guns  an'  make  yerselves 
scarce!  "  continued  Sharpshooter  Dick,  ey- 
ing them  over  the  glittering  barrel  of  his 
weapon.  "  I  don't  intend  to  conduct  you  to 
the  rear  of  Uncle  Sam's  army,  for  jes'  now  a 
loose  locomotive  couldn't  catch  it.  Down 
with  yer  guns  an'  up  with  yer  hands!  I've 
got  what  the  Western  boys  would  call  a  drop 
on  ye.  I  came  here  for  business.  Me 
an'  Killbuck's  been  flghtin'  on  our  own  hook 
all  day." 

Covoioil  as  Ihoy  were  by  the  sharp- 
shooioi's  lillo,  anil  beyond  succoring  dis- 
taiioo  liy  aiiN  lit  ilioir  comrades,  the  three 
Contoiloiatos  siilloiily  threw  down  their 
guns,  and  wuudei  iugly  hold  u]i  their  hands. 

"Now,  you  do  soloiiiiilv  swear,"  began 
Dick,  when  one  of  thoin  inioriui.toil  him. 

"Hold  on  there!"  oxolaimoil  tho  Confed- 
erate. "You're  no  iiarolliin:  otiieer,  and 
you'voiiorjghtto ' 

•■  Mi^ht  makes  right  in  this  instance,  Con- 
fod!  '  ol  iod  Dick.  "Now  act  decently  or 
tiiniish  work  for  the  undertakers  of  Bull 
Run.  You  tliroo  moii  do  solemnly  swear 
that    you    will    imt    inar  arms    auui'    Uncle 

niahi  iiuo  to  iho  .-lais  anil  siii|ios,  tjiving  no 
aid  ami  i  omloii  at  aiiytiinoto  tlioConfedei-- 

It  was  a  liaiil  oatli  for  the  three  grayeoats 
to  tako,  ami  nothing  but  the  terrible  threat 
at  tho  Olid  foi  ood  it  from  them. 

"  \Vc swear!  "  answered  the  leader  of  the 
little  party,  speaking  for  all. 

"Now  git!"  exclaimed  Dick.  "Break 
that  oath,  an'  fall  into  Dick  Griswold's  hands 
if  you  dare  !  You  shan't  have  even  a  drum- 
head court-martial.  Old  Killbuck  willbe  on 
hand  to  carry  out  the  sentence  already 
passed." 

With  lowering  looks,  and  in  no  good 
humor,  the  baffled  Southerners  retired  from 
the  spot,  watched  by  Dick,  with  a  victorious 
smile,  until  they  were  lost  to  view. 

He  then  turned  his  attention  to  the 
broken  carriage  and  the  feminine  hat — a 
pretty  little  thing  that  lay  on  the  ground, 
and  partly  under  one  of  the  wheels. 

As  we  have  said,  he  could  see  nothing  ol 
Nettie  Knox,  whose  fate  the  coachman 
was  still  bewailing  on  another  part  of  the 
battlefield. 


THE  WAR  LIBRARY. 


He  searched  the  spot  thoroughly,  aud 
turned  away  at  last,  drawing  a  long  t)reath 
of  rehef. 

The  congressman's  ward  had  probably  es- 
oaped  death,  but  it  was  evldeut  that  the 
separation  from  the  vehicle  had  l)eeu  hiii- 
ried,  from  the  fact  of  the  hat  aud  several 
other  articles  which  had  beeu  left  behind. 

Sharpshooter  JJick  was  pulled  how  to 
proceed  after  he  had  examined  the  spot,  aud 
arrived  at  the  conclusion  that  Nettie  had 
not  been  killed. 

He  was  on  a  part  of  the  ill-fated  battlefield 
not  frequented  by  auy  laige  Ijodiesof  troops. 
He  saw  at  a  distame  a  number  of  small 
bauds  dressed  in  gray,  and,  here  and  there, 
lay  dead  men  aud  liorses,  aliaudoned  cais- 
sons, and  brokeu  wagons  of  all  kinds. 

The  horse  which  he  had  ii-icvered  bv  the 
•death  of  the  Confederate  general  still  le- 
malned  to  him  ;  but  he  was  sn  (■(■vered  with 
sweat  and  dust  that  he  no  longer  looked  the 
beautiful  animal  which  bad  beaded  some  of 
Johnston's  fresh  (nic)i)s. 

The  saddle  and  its  accoutrements  were  of 
a  peculiar  make,  and  l>ick  resolved  to  ex- 
•change  theiu  fomtlicis  tli;it  wouldnot  i)rove 
«0  cousiiiciicms  ti>  I  'uufcilcTalc  cn cs. 

The  dead  liMi^cIa  I  uici  .iivalryuiun  lay 
near  by.  uml  ju  l.'>,  tinii-  than  uc  can  iiv'mivI 
the  deed,  tin-  shaipslicioter  had  tossed  the 
graycoat's^addle  into  the  congressional  car- 
riage, and  had  the  other  one  adjusted  on  the 
steed's  back. 

The  next  moment  he  was  mounted  again. 

"I  might  as  well  go  back  to  Alexandria," 
he  said  to  himself.  '■  Whenafellaris  flghtin' 
on  his  own  hook  what  he  captures  belongs 
to  him,  I  reckon.  Therefore,  this  horse  is 
my  propertj',  an'  I'm  at  liberty  to  do  what  I 
please  with  him.  He  is  worth  two  hundred, 
but  that  Illinois  congressman   would  have 

fiven  five  fur  'im.  There  was  three  hundred 
oUars  worth  of  scare  in  him,  and  allowing 
two  hundred  fur  the  hoss,  thatmakestive.  By 
Jove!  I'll  sell  the  animile,  an'  I'll  throw  the 
money  into  Lily's  lap.  She'll  freeze  to  it  till 
we  both  want  the  cash." 
Sharpshooter  Dick  was  soon   moving  from 


the 


been  surprised  by  his  own  calmness,  were 
enough  to  bring  a  smila  to  Sharpshooter 
Dick's  lips. 

"  Your  horse  can  carry  double,"  continued 
the  forlorn  judge,  eying  the  sharpshooter's 
horse.  "  You're  going  to  Centreville,  of 
course.  What'll  you  charge  me  for  pass- 
age?" 

"  Nothin',  jedge,  if  ye  kin  hold  on,"  said 
Dick. 

"  You're  a  friend  in  need,"  exclaimed  the 
man  of  the  law.  "  I'm  not  used  to  horse- 
back exercise ;  but  when  a  man  must  ride, 
why  he  must,  that's  all." 

"  Of  course." 

Griswold  moved  his  steed  nearer  the  stump, 
in  order  that  Judge  Chubb  could  mount 
without  much  difficulty. 

The  judicial  boots  were  carefully  tied  to- 
gether, like  two  pieces  of  valuable  property, 
andDhk  swung  them  across  the  saddle  in 
trout  ot  linn,  where  they  looked  like  two 
gaping  bolsters. 

Then  the  judge  managed  to  climb  up  be- 
hind the  sharpshooter,  whose  waist  he  en- 
circled as  well  as  he  could  with  his  short 
arras. 

'■  Ini  iicrtectlv  calm,  as  von  see,"  he  said, 
addre-siiig  i)i(  k.  "  During" the  most  trying 
s.ciioel  till- 1  .iiite,  I  retained  my  composure 
to  a  reinaikahle  degree,  sir — to  a  very  re- 
markable degree." 

"Tliar's  a  lot  of  other  composed  men, 
jedge,  but  they're  gettin'  close  to  Washing- 
ton by  this  time,"  said  the  sharpshooter, 
with  a  meiry  twinkle  in  his  eye,  which  his 
conipaniou,  of  course,  did  not  see. 

The  judge  seemed  to  see  the  keen  sarcasm 
in  Dick's  remark,  and  subsided  as  the  gray 
horse  started  off. 

The  gallop  over  the  rough  road  tried  the 
judge's  patience  as  well  as  his  mind,  for  he 
was  soon  clinging  frantically  to  Dick's  hunt- 
ing frock,  and  panting  heavily. 

"Is  this  tiresome  gait  necessary,  sir?"  he 
asked,  between  gasps. 

"  Y'es,  it  is,  an'  a  faster  one  will  be,  if  the 
squad  of  horsemeu  I  see  over  yonder  sees  us, 
and  attempts  to  cut  us  off." 


He  J.; 


his  thoughts,  and  it  was  to  biig  jtcn  lier  c\  es 
with  the  sight  of  two  hundred  dollars  won 
by  his  gallantry  that  he  urged  the  captured 
horse  after  the  defeated  army,  flying  toward 
Washington. 

The  sharpshooter's  search  for  Nettie  Knox 
had  occupied  some  time. 

If  he  had  not  found  the  carriage  he  would 
have  struck  to  his  determiuatiou  and  pur- 
sued it  beyond  the  Confederate  lines;  but  he 
knew  that  the  girl,  if  captured,  would  re- 
ceive excellent  treatment  on  account  of  Du- 
crov's  political  views. 

He  soon  discovered  that  the  Union  fugi- 
tives had  thundered  on  at  a  rate  of  speed 
which  had  carried  the  fleetest  far  from  the 
field  of  battle. 

"You  couldn't  take  a  fellow  up  behind 
you,  1  suppose?"  asked  a  fat  litt;le  man 
who  suddenly  hailed  the  sharpshooter  from 
a  stump  by  the  roadside. 

Something  extremely  pitiable  in  the 
speaker  s  appearance  made  Dick  draw  rein. 

The  man  on  the  stump  was  hatless,  and 
hissmootlily  shaven,  chubby  face  a  mixture 
of  sweat  ami  dust.  His  clothes,  elegant 
enough  at  bnak  of  day,  were  torn  and  sorry 
in  appearance.  His  stockinged  feet  almost 
touched  the  ground,  where  his  boots  lay  as 
if  he  had  drawn  them  oft  to  relieve  a  pair 
of  blistered  feet. 

"  Are  you  wounded  ?"  asked  Dick. 

"MyGod!  no;  buti'malmostcxhausted," 
was  the  reply.  "This  has  been  the  worst 
day  of  my  life.  I'm  Judge  Chubb,  ot  the 
Court  of  Special  Sessions,  an'  I  wish  to 
heavens  I  had  remained  at  my  post.  Four 
of  us  came  out  to  see  the  flgbt.  Where  the 
other  three  are,  mercy  only  knows.  Some 
devilish  scared  soldiers  stopped  our  'bus,  cut 
the  horses  loose  and  rode  "em  off.  It  was  a 
high-handed  outrage— a  blow  at  the  dignity 
of  the  bench.  I'd  like  to  pass  sentence  on 
the  villains!  I'd  lay  awake  of  nights  in- 
venting fiendish  torture  for  their  limbs. 
Then  I  had  to  walk,"  and  the  man  glanced 
at  his  feet,  which  were  much  swollen. 
"Just  think  of  me  walking,  sir !— a  man  of 
ray  averdupois,  and  that  when  you  have  to 
be  on  the  lookout  for  artillery  wagons  and 
runaway  teams.  It  is  horrible,  sir!  I'm 
perfectly  calm — haven't  been  excited  to-day. 
My  own  calmness  under  such  a  trial  has  con- 
stantly amazed  me.  How  near  are  the 
rebels?  Heavens!  do  you  think  they'll  be 
along  here  soon?" 

These  questions  from  the  maii  -..io  I-ad 


"If  them  fellows  take  a  notion  to  outflank 
us,  we  will  have  to  depend  on  this  hoss,  an' 
not  on  j'cr  pulse,"  answered  the  sharp- 
shooter. "By  Jehosaphat!  they're  goin'  to 
try  it." 

"No!" 

"Fact,  jedge!" 

"Those  Confederates  respect  the  rights  of 
no  one,  it  seems.  Do  not  let  your  steed 
move  very  fast  at  first,  till  I  get  used  to  the 
jolting." 

Sharpshooter  Dick  made  no  reply,  but 
smiled  as  he  touched  his  horse's  flanks  with 
the  spurs  he  had  taken  from  the  heels  of  a 
dead  trooper. 

Obeying  the  command,  the  horse  bounded 
forward,  almojt  unseating  the  dignified 
judge,  who  uttered  an  exclamation  of  terror 
aud  clung  closer  to  the  hunter's  jacket, 

"Hold  on,  jedge!"  exclaimed  Dick. 
"We've  got  to  go  like  the  wind  to  git 
ahead  of  the  Coiifeds  who  seem  determined 
to  git  between  nsaiT  <  "cntel-ville." 

■•1  ^^ill  -  if  1  can!  Can't  y.m  select  a  less 
rough    ro: 


mhf 


■alily.    How 


posuie,  our  i  ni  Keeping! 
near  ai'e  the  (  'onlederate 

"Ncare]than  I  want  'em  to  be  under  the 
circuinstauees.  If  I  warii't  discommoded  as 
I  am,  I  euuld  give  'em  a  Killbuck  pill.  This 
train  fur  Centreville  seems  to  be  overloaded. 
How's  ver  pulse  now,  jedge?" 

".Still  strong  and  steady;  but  this  jolting 

It  was  with  the  greatest  difficulty  that  the 
judge  was  keeping  his  seat. 

He  was  clinging  to  Sharpshooter  Dick  for 
dear  life,  aud  at  times  he  was  lifted  clear  of 
the  bounding  steed,  which  the  mountaineer 
was  now  urging  to  his  utmost. 

The  ten  or  a  dozen  Confederates  were 
straining  every  nerve  to  intercept  the 
couple. 

It  was  a  wild,  exciting  race,  aud  the 
chances  of  success  were  on  the  side  of  the 


under  the  disadvantage  of  a  double  burden. 

The  Confederates  were  fast  terminating 
the  chase  in  their  favor. 

The  sharpshooter  saw  thathis  escape  would 
soon  he  cut  off. 


Thi 


You've  got  to  git  off." 


"Did  you  hear  me,  jedge?"  continued 
Dick.    "  You've  got  to  git  off,  I  say," 

"For  Heaven's  sake,  no!  You  camiot 
think  of  abandoning  me  to  those  fiends  over 
yonder.  They  would  widow  my  wife  and 
orphan  the  three  little  Chubbs  in  less  than 
no  time.    7  can't  think  of  it." 

"I  kin!"  was  the  mgi^less  reply.  "Yer 
wonderful  composure  will  save  ye;  yer  pulse 
is  still  strong,  I  know.  They  daresn't  touch 
ye.  Ye'r  a  civilian,  while  I'm  Sharpshooter 
Dick,  an'  they  have  business  with  me.  Git 
down,  jedge!" 

The  sharpshooter  reined  in  his  horse  as  he 
spoke. 

"  I'll  give  yon  fifty  dollars  if  you  land  me 
in  Centreville." 

"  Fifty  grannies!"  cried  the  exasperated 
mountaineer,  as  he  toie  loose  the  judge's 
hands.  "  I  give  you  a  minute  to  get  down 
in,  or  you'll  laud  mighty  sudden  on  the 
ground." 

"  You're  a  brute!"  was  the  answer. 

"Mebbo  I  am,  jedge,  but  Dick's  life  is 
worth  soinethiug  to  somebody  besides  him- 
self. I'll  hunt  the  Chubbs  up,  an'  tell  'em 
that  the  parent  fish  retains  his  remarkable 
compos 

Theji 
federate  cavalryn 
over  the  horse's  side. 

As  he  struck  the  ground  and  rebounded 
like  a  rubber  ball,  the  sharpshooter  gavethe 
steed  the  full  length  of  the  spurs,  aud,  re- 
lieved of  one  half  of  his  burden,  he  bounded 
away,  aud  soon  made  up  for  lost  time. 

Dick  never  glanced  back  to  inquire  into 
the  condition  of  the  judge's  pulse,  but 
plunged  on,  and  sent  a  victorious  cheer  to- 


ugeci  on, 
rd  thegr 


aycoated  horsemen  as  he  dashed 
em,  and  found  nobody  between 
him  and  Washington  but  the  routed  Union 
army. 

The  pursuit  was  kept  up,  however. 

"We'll  try  the  head  feller,  Killl.uek,"  he 
said.saddenly.  "They  may  be  out,  ci  ,  c^' 
leach,  but  1  think  not.  I've  u.sed  ye  on 
horseback  before,  you  know." 

Coi'kiiig  his  Irustv  rifle,  the  sliari)sbooter 
turned  in  bis  saddle,  aud  aimed  it  at  the  ad- 
vancing s(iuad. 

A  second  later  the  shrill  report  rung  far 
and  wide,  and  the  leader  of  the  graycoats 
fell  back  into  the  arms  of  his  companions. 

"  Jehosaphat !  what  reaching  qualities  you 
have,  Killbuck,"  ejaculated  Dick,  as  he 
turned,  and  once  more  plied  his  bloody 
spurs.  

CHAPTER  VII. 


1  W     Ml 


[ON, 


"Who  are  you, and  where  did  you  get  that 
horse?" 

These  words  fell  upon  Sharpshooter  Dick's 
ears  as  he  was  pushing  his  way  down  the 
main  thoroughfare  of  Centreville,  near 
which  place  the  Union  reserves  under  Miles 
had  for  a  time  cheeked  the  wnvi>  of  retreat. 

The  speaker  was  a  youu^;  man  dici-sed  in 
what  had  lately  been" the  handsome  uniform 
of  a  Federal  captain. 

"  I  am  Dick  Griswold,  an'  this  hoss  b'longs 
torn.',  because  I  captured  him  in  war.  When 
a  fell,  r  liuhls  on  his  own  hook,  he's  entitled 
to  all  the  plunder,  ain't  he,  captain  ?" 

"That  deiiends.  "  \\  asthe  reply.  "  We  must 
conUscate  hoit,es  for  our  trains." 

"  Jcs'  so.  Captain,  yon  didn't  enjoy  your- 
self to-day  like  you  did  at  Ducroy's"  last 
night,''  continued  the  sharpshooter. 

The  young  Federal  started  forward  with  a 
light  cry. 

"  Were  you  there  ?"  he  asked. 

"  For  a  little  while.  I  caught  a  glimpse  of 
you,  an'  I  thought  I  recognized  you  when 
you  hailed  me  here.    What's  yer  name  ?" 

"Harold  Constance." 

"  Wal,  captain,  we're  goin'  back  ter  Wash- 
ington witli  our  wing-feathers  cut,"  said 
Dick,  laughing.  "  The  congressmen  will  beat 
us  thar,  of  course ;  but  some  of  them  wUl  go 
back  poorer  in  strength  an'  purse  for  this 
day's  work.    Thar  is  Ducroy " 

"Ah!  what  do  you  know  about  Ducroy?" 
interrupted  Captain  Constance. 

"  I  was  told  an  hour  ago  that  Ducroy  and 
his  ward.  Miss  Nettie,  followed  the  army  to 
Bull  Run.  I  cannot  hear  of  them,  yet  they 
may  be  ahead  with  therestof  the  fugitives."' 

"  They're  not  in  their  own  rig  if  they  are," 
answered  the  sharpshooter. 

"  What  do  you  mean  ?  For  Heaven's  sake, 
go  on  and  explain  yourself." 

The  young  captain's  anxiety  was  almost 
overpo «  eri ug.   He  tairly  gasped  as  he  spoke. 

Sharpshooter  Dick  proceeded,  and  told  all 


THE  WAR  LIBRARY, 


mncrnifutiuu.'a  il  io  luv. 
Ducroy  will  do  anything.  I  knov 
old,"  remarked  Dick,  with  flashins 
■He'd  drag  an  angel  to  ahattleflel" 
luld  serve  a  certain  iiurpose  by  doi"f 
If  re  the  pair  are  now,  Heaven  knows 
ijst  lie  behind  us,  for  Ducroy  wouldn" 


rse  not. 


are  fighting  on  you 


so.      V 
Tliev 


"  Thu 
was  the 
to-dav. 

Capta 


"I  cau't  go  back— back  to  Bull  Run,  1 
mean— but  you  are  free  to  go  where  you 
please,"  he  I'esu-ned  suddenly,  as  if  he  had 

form,-!  m-lrin  <  f  some  kiud. 
il    '•  :  wasn't,   I'dgobackto   the 

b'lir  ',;    .;    liick. 

I        i<  a  dear  friend  of 


:  what  I  left  the  mountains  to  do,' 
L'ply.    "  I  reckon  I  did  a  little  of  \ 

Constance    was  silent  for  a  mo 


Wll! 


i|iened  to  be  thiukini;  of 
I  ;  go  on." 

ittie  is  loyal,  but,"  with  a 
ouch  forDucroy'spatriot- 


"  You  hit  theuailonthe  head  that  time!  ' 
■led   Dirk.     "1   could   tell  you   something. 


hited  with 
\'ords,  and 
■.1    Sharp- 


e  war.  1  couM 
iteds  fought  to- 
If  1   have  good 


ses.     Wi-   have  found  the  ve- 
H  remains  missing." 
^ed,  and    looked  into  the  fire, 
iug  up  at  that  moment  fell 

Dick  did  not  start,  for  he 
■cognized  the  speaker,  who 
rsonage  than  Ducroy. 

eougressmau,  wassurround- 

■  of  i'oiihd.-iate  soldiers,  he 

■  to    1m.   a    i.Ti-niirr.     On  the 

c'li  sf I  :i  i:ii;ir(l  of  honor. 

iive  L'MiH'  l>a.  k  to  Washing- 
I  one  of  the  graycoats. 
s  might  have  recognized  her 
up  on  the  read." 

thus,"  murmured  Ducroy. 


"Old  fi' 


lies  longer  the  .sharpshooter 
up  at  t  lie  fire,  aud  was  about 
vli(i\   a   noise  at '  his  left  at- 

P  a  man  when  he's  iu  a  di- 
10.. I  an  over-loud  voice. 
.  i.iiip..s,.(l.  I'm  not  the 
but  M.iri.iroi\  or  other  I'm 
.-  ^■o  that  1  .  aii't  move." 
Iiiik  \v;is  at  the  dark  en- 
w  log,  while   the  last  words 

voice  if  you  w^nt  to  escape 
t,"  he  said.  "Here,  give  me 
I  he  fell  forward  until  he 
f  iiriiis,   at  which  he  pulled 


"  You  mu^t  have  swelled  since  you  crawl- 
ed into  the  log,"  he  said,  as  he  caught  his 
breath. 

"I  don't  know.    Let  me  think  a  moment. 
Hold  on,   for  sweet  mercy's  sake!     I  must 
ly  serenity.    You  are  try- 
'" 'of  the 


■  lost  s 

o  pull  me  out  of  the  smallest  end  i 


ler  end  of  the  log, 
il  the  brave  judge's 
ig  pull,  which  play- 


ed the  judge. 
"]f  Iliad  not  entire  control  of  myself,  I'd 
rush  upon  you  and  give  you  an  unjudicial 
drubbing." 

The  sharpshooter  laughed. 

"Good-by,  jedge,"  he  said.  "We'll  meet 
again,  meblte,"'  and,  caring  not  lor  the  in- 
vectives of  the  maddened  man,  he  hurried 
from  the  s])ot. 

His  speed  was  accelerated  by  the  rising  of 
dark  figures  from  the  ground  at  the  camp- 
fire. 

It  was  evident  that  the  Confederates  had 
overheard  the  judge's  loud  words,  and  were 
about  to  seek  the  speaker. 

Presently  Dick  beard  words  which  toldhim 
that  Cliubii  had  fallen  into  the  hands  of  the 


ifede 


okli. 


»ht,"  murmured  the  sharp- 
lad  kept  a  still  tongue  iu  his 
ed  biia  out  of  the  log,  he 
ileil  capture.  I  hope  ne'll 
ufori'hc  fjetsbackto  Wash- 
at   aiivinti-,  to   irritate  his 

■If   iiiii\imI    oh    toward   tht' 


Be 


!id  thi 


up 


He  took  good  care  to  avoid  the  bodies  of 
men  moving  across  the  battletield.- 

Several  of  these  parties  were  engaged  in 
picking  up  the  wounded  on  the  battle- 
ground. 

They  were  Confederates,  of  course,  and 
Sharpshooter  Dick  heard  mauy  expressions 


Dii 


abouts. 

The  c 

told  IJh 


riumph  during  the 


■  worl 


itaiueer  did 

('!! plain   Constance  that 
Xrttie  Knox's  fate, 
ed  that  Ducroy  as  yet  was 
icerning  his  ward's  where- 

I's  words  at  the  camp-fire 
lorses  had  started  off  with 
u  the  shell-shattered  ear- 
ning  the   excited  coach- 


H  lie  (lul  itt  all,  it  was  to  think  with  pride 
1 1  in  I  till-  \  i.u  111;  cfiptain  did  not  love  her  more 
iliau  III-  hi\.il  l,il-,- Douway,  the  beauty  of 
Ale.\aii,ii  ui. 

Th"  s'iii|islio. it"]- bad  regained  his  horsr. 
and  \..   ,  ,  Mii.^  ^-liivi.i   loward  Manassas. 

All  at c  a  sound  iu  his   front   startled 

him,  and,  before  he  could  lean  forward  to  in- 
quire into  it,  hesaw  fifty  men  spring  up  from 
the  groimd,  and  the  next  moment  he  was  en- 
circled with  bayonets. 

Captured! 

••  Kei  p  voiir  rifli-  where  it  is  until  you  give 
ag.Mi.l  iiciuuiit  of  yourself !"  said  a  stern 
voicoiiiihis  li^lit.  •■To  me  you  look  like 
the  sluiipshoiilcr  who  gave  us  blazes  from 
behinii  the  tree  to-day.  We  haven't  been 
watching  for  you  since  the  fight,  but  since 
you've  sivam  into  our  net,  why  we'll  take 
you,  of  course." 

The  capture  had  taken  place  on  a  spot 
where  the  Wdcd  was  loiuiiaratively  open, 
ami  at  a  pltci-  wlii-ic  lln'  sharpshooter  wa«,. 
loiikiim'  tor  till  ni.tiii.'-. 

lb-  had,  th.'ivli.ri-,  I ii    taken   uiaiwares, 


iiome  when  1  get  back  to  Wi 


ield. 


of  the  trees  darkened 
the  i.iad,  and  he  was  compelled  to  proceed 
at  a  ^^ail  that  iiiitated  him. 

.VA  at  uiiee,  a  light,  like  the  glimmer  of  a 
camp  fire,  arrested  his  attention,  and  he 
Thought  he  recognized  a  voice  that  seemed 
to  emanate  from   the  place  where  the  fire 


discover  all  he  could,  he  dis- 
d  having  tied  his  horse  to  a  sap- 
it     Ill-ward,  rifle  in   hand,   aud 


led. 


)f   whom  leaned  aga 


itably  mysterious," 
the  sharpshooter  halted  a 
the  fire.  "  A  shell  crashed 
riage,   overturned    it,    and 


CHAPTER  A'lII. 

THE  CAPTURE  AND  ESCAPE. 


was  the  same  person  by  whom  he  had  lately 
been  abandoned  whilst  flying  from  the  field 
of  Bull  Run,  must  be  imagined,  for  it  cannot 
be  described. 

"I  wish  you  had  let  me  alone!"  he  cried, 
in  tulles  that  threatened  to  betray  Sharp- 
shunt. -r  Di.ks  A\  li.-irabouts  to  the  men 
ar.iiniii  t  In- .  aiiip-lu  e  a  few  rods  away.  "A 
man  who  w.iul.l  di.ip  a  fellow   human   from 


faces , 
to  thi- 


ne tu  UM-auy  oi  JUS  weap- 
e  looked  down  into  the 
-derates,  while  he  listened 
■ords. 


"CiiMie.  sii-.  V  hv  dou't  3'ou  open  your 
mouth?  c-.iiiiiiiiied  the  Southerner.  -'You 
ai-c  the  V:iiik.  .■  sliarpshooter,and  you  might 
as  wi-ll  a.-kijowledee  the  name." 

"  If  its  an  ai-i-ommodation,  I'll  do  so,"  said 
Sharpshooter  Dick. 

As  he  finished,  the  circle  of  steel  seemed 
to  contract ;  some  of  the  bayonets  actually 
toiu^hed  him. 

"  You  are  our  prisoner,  of  coiu'se,"  contin- 
ued the  Confederate  :  and  two  soldiers  low- 
ered their  guns  to  grasp  the  bridle  of  Diok's 
horse.  ■■  Yi.u  will  have  to  go  with  us.  I 
promise  voii  that  vou  shall  liaveafair  trial." 

■■  A  fail- trial  foi'- what'/" 

-■  Fur  sliuuting  the  grayboys  to-day.' 

■-  Bill  you  are  not  an  enlisted  man,"  was- 
the  answer.      •You    were  fighting  on   your 
own  hook,  and  1  think  we've  got  a  right  t« 
lai    vun've   done.      Proofi" 
III     ihai.     Wliy   didn't  you 
-hiiif^iiui    with   the   panic- 
Y'li  inij-dit  have  saved  your 
You  were  riding  toward 


try    you    fur    wl 
We've  got    luts 
keep   on  to   \Va^ 
stricken  bines  ? 
neck  by  doing  so. 


THJ2J    Vv^xiK   l^x^:.^^^vY 


Manassas  when  we  caught  you  awhile  ago — 

you  whofoug 

you're  a  Yanh 


that  fair  trial  which  I  am  to  see  the  result. 
By  George!  I  ought  to  have  Judge  ('h\ibli 
to  sit  ou  my  ease!"  aud  the  speaker  <on- 
cluded  with  a  laugh. 

Guarded  by  the  meu  who  had  effucteil  his 
capture,  Dick  was  taken  Irom  the  spot.  He 
noticed  that  he  was  closely  watched,  aud 
was  puzzled  to  know  why"liis  captors  had 
not  deprived  him  of  the  pun  lie  still  carried 
across  the  saddle-bow. 


id.b 


M; 


road 


voices  were  heard,  and  t 
deed  his  men  U>  turn  fn 
a  body  otsohUer.-i  pass. 

Ainbufr  the  trees  that  lined  the  battle-road, 
Dick  aud  Ills  eai.tois  waited  for  the  regi- 
ment to  go  by.  Tliey  presently  saw  the 
head  of  the  cuiuinii.  and  the  next  moment 
troops  were  pouring  past. 

The  sharpshooter  watched  them  for 
awhile,  and  then  looked  at  the  men  by  whom 


was  not  long  dehiyeil 
■anie  suddenly  upon  ; 
little  spot  of  brdlian 

man  walked  from  fh( 
1  gray,  aud  bearing  on 
it   bore  a  striking 


After  its  overthi 
Bull  Run,  the  i.ai 
uu  becked  and  uni 


attlefleld  of 
niou  army, 
ited  toward 


he 
were  ga 


lb' 


fcr^'utteii  his  dill  V. 

"Til  strike  b.i'liheilx,  jusl  bn- luck,"  said 
Sharpshooter  Dick  In  biiiiself,  as  he  took  in 
the  situation  of  aO'airs.  "The  tail  end  of 
the  regiment  is  goin'  by  just  now,  an'  my 
time  has  come." 

At  that  momeut  he  clinched  his  right 
hand  and  darted   at   the  man    whose    hand 


The 


the  t'oi 

feilel-: 

linquis 

The 

lext 

into  Id- 

led   fu 

lledel 

flynig  ( 

ment  li 

id  .jus 

"Giv 

cap  tail 

,  as  Ih 

Dick 

had  1 

sound  ( 

t  his  1 

The 
leadei 


spniiiL:  ml. I  1  he  road  and  fired. 

Tlie\  (lid  in. I  s...  Uie  lu.l.le  gray  horse 
reel  anil  staL'-ei-  (i..in  ilie  road,  ashisgal- 
lant  ride  r  leaped  fnim  the  saddle,  audstruek 
theground  safe,l)eyond  a  slight  bullet  wound 
iu  one  arm. 

Sharpshooter  Dick  cast  a  pitying  glance 
toward  the  horse  struggling  iu  the  throes  of 
death,  and  then  turned  b.  his  uuseeu  foes. 


The  p: 
but  Die 


the 

the  death  of 


Right 


As  he  galloped  b.uai.l 
other  boys  will  gather  1 
face!" 

The  sharpshooter's  rifle  was  at  his  shoulder 
wliile  the  unseen  captaiu  addressed  his 
equally  invisible  men. 

"It's  a  shot  iu  the  dark,  Killbuck,"  he 
said.  "You'll  have  to  find  the  target  for 
yourself." 

He  touched  the  trigger  as  the  last  word 
left  his  lips. 

It  was  a  shot  at  random,    but    fate   must 

have  directed  the  leaden  missile,  for,  from 

the   darkness,  rang   a  loud     cry — a   death 

shriek— and  Dick  lowered  his  rifle. 

"I'll  catch  it  now,"  he  exclaimed,   leaping 

I   to  one  side. 

I  He  ivas  not  a  moment  too  soon,  for  the 
I  h!aze  of  muskets  lit  up  the  road  tar  ahead, 
I  and  a  perfect  hailstorm  of  lead  swept  by. 

"Forward — charge!"   cried  a  loud  voice. 
I  "Death  to  the  man   who    has    finished  the 


ther,and  listened  lo  the  clinking  of  canteens 
and  tjayonet  sheaths,  as  the  avengers  of  the 
Confederate  captain  charged  down  the 
road. 

They  passed  him  like  a  whirlwind,  and 
soon  disappeared  in  the  gloom  beyond. 

"They  must  think  I  have  the  eyes  of  an 
owl  to  shoot  that  way  in  the  dark,"  laughed 
the  sharpshooter,  as  he  rose.  "It  was  an 
accidental  shot,  but  Killbuck  knew  whar  to 
put  the  ball— whar  it  would  do  the  most 
good.  Come,  old  fellar ;  we've  got  to  get 
out  of  this." 

Dismounted  now,  and  iu  quarters  decided- 
ly dangerous.   Sharpshooter  Dick  was  com- 


i  liable  siglit — one  calculat- 
from  hearts  of  stone, 
its    had    cast    away    theii 
oldiershad  stripped  thein- 


■  ihe  very  men  wji. 
.cuts  of  the  twenty 
^r  claim  a  record  iV 


ill  kinds. 

;e  was  almost  choked  by  the 
gcd  across  it,  and  the  streets  of 
tself  soon  resounded   with  the 

a  iH  pushed. 
[laven  !  wh.it   has  happened  ?" 


from  the  Held  of  battle?" 

Lily  Douway  lelt  the  house,  and  soon 
learned  all. 

McDowell  had  beeu  overthrown,  and  the 
head  (if  his  panic-stricken  columns  would 
s.H.ii  reach  Alexandria! 

■|'he  iaee  <<(  the  i;irl  ,i:rew  pale. 
■  D.'leab  (I !"    sic     t;as|ied.       "McDowell's 
gallant    army    ilefeated?    It  cannot   be!     1 
will    not    believe    that    rebellion    has    tri- 
umphed." 

Then  rushed  across  her  mind  a  thought  of 
the  young  man  whom  she  had  lately  sent 
from  her  side. 

"  lie  wimlil  be  the  last  to  turn  his  back  on 
the  bie,  '  slh- (  xclaimed.  "Dick  is  not  to  be 
found  aiiicna  Ihe  first  fugitives  who  will 
reach  .Me.Man. Ilia.  He  will  be  withtherear 
guard  it  he  has  not  remained  ou  the  battle- 
Held.     Hick  kille.l?    No!  no!  I  cannot  think 

It  was  with  feelings  no  pen  can  describe, 
that  Lily  watched  the  beaten  army  as  it 
poured  into  Alexandria. 

Her  eyes  were  constantly  on  the  alert  to 
catch  sight  of  Sharpshooter  Dick's  well- 
known  garb,  for  she  did  not  know  that  the 
mountaineer,  while  ou  his  way  to  her,  had 
turned  back  to  look  after  another  woman. 

She  saw  no  one  whom  she  feltshe  could  ask 
about  the  sharpshooter;  the  thousands  who 
ruslied  through  the  little  city  were  strangers 
to  her,  yet  she  felt  that  some  one  must  know 
something  about  Dick. 

"  This  is  torture  and  suspense  unendura- 
ble," she  said  to  herself,  at  last.  "  I  must 
know  something  about  him.  If  he  had  es- 
caped he  would  hasten  back  to  assure  me  of 
his  safety,  but  he  does  not  come.  If  the  bat- 
tlefield has  become  his  couch,  I  will  know  it." 

The  sharpshooter's  love  returned  to  her 
house,  and  began  to  make  preparations  for  a 
speedy  departure. 

She  was  concluding  her  arrangements, 
when  a  rap  startled  her,  and  with  a  joyful 
cry  of  "  Dick !"  she  sprung  to  the  door. 


the  portal  to  find  herself  face 
face  with  a  man  who  wore  a  long  sandy 
rhieh,  like  his  eiiat.  was  quite  dusty. 
have  forget  ten  in c,  Lily,"  he  said, 
icgirl  had  gazed  into  his  face  for  a 
:.  "I  admit  that  I  may  not  look 
-elf,  because  I  have  iustai-rived from 

leh.^ld." 

.  .triiize  you  now,"  said  Lily.    "  I  did 

i-et  to  see  you  here,  though." 
•iiiiise  net.     I  intended  to  call  ou  my 
out  1..  Manassas,  but  was  prevented. 
ioiiK  Ihiiig   tosaylo   you.     Will   you 


I  havesoiiKI 
listen  ■/" 

Lily's  face 
bowed  and  in 
threw  himsel 

It  was  easy 
sonage  of   so 


lis   (1. 
ist  had 


■  plight 


Lily  could   nut  help  sniilin 
presented. 

"Lily,"  continued  the  man,  "  the  triumph 
of  the  South  is  already  almost  complete. 
Our  troops  have  been  completely  overthrown 
ou  a  halllelicld  of  tliiir(.\vii  choosing,  aud 
by  their  e.inals  in  i.uinl.e.s.  The  govern- 
ment ill  Washiimt..!!  iiiiisl  ive..^ni/elhcCon- 
fedenie\,  and  hel.(  el..!  I  h  Ihere  uill  be  two 
coni;res"ses  onlhis  e(  M 1 1  i  n. -Ill- one  a  t  Wash- 
ing'!     the  other  ul   Ki.  hmoii.l.     lUit   Ian, 


bestov 
glimp- 
and  1  I 


plead i 


.1  I  hat  man  can 
since  my  first 
IS  1 1  eel  1  yours, 
hour— gloomy 
rushes  to  my 
cat  ear  to  my 
)t.  I  love  you. 
lid  I  will  trans- 
to  a  handsome 
f  file  Capitol. 
italile  hour  for 
list  said,  I  can- 


She  knew  the  s|>eaker  only  too  well. 

I'aul  llogcrs  bad  served  several  terms  in 
congress,  where  his  iutimate  associate  was 
James  Ducroy,  with  whom  we  have  already 
dealt. 

Lily  had  Ions  known  that  he  entertained 
toward  lier  a  j.assion  of  some  kind.  He  had. 
upon  se%..r:il  oe.asi.,11,-.  ..i),i,  ,1  1..  procure 
for  her  a  liiei  ati v..  j.osii  i,.ii  in  oiie(,t  the  de- 
]iai1iiients;  but  she  had  ficntly,  yet  firmly, 
retused  his  assistance,  preferring  her  little 
home  ill   .Mexamlria  to  the  drudgery  of  a 


the  c 
Rebn 

spoke 
She 


Sharpshooter 
path.  There  ^ 
that  would  hi 
woman ;  and  1 
tioncd,  the   fr 


length,' 
happy  foi 
"Then: 
Lily, 


air  the  mau 
Hire  minded 
!  have  men- 
man  whom 


'  said 


never  be." 
stood.    I  cannot 


uly,     •■lam 
annot  be   ir 
become  your  wife." 

The  man  almost  left  his  chair  with  r, 
bound. 

"  You  cannot  know  what  you  are  saying, 
girl!"  he  exclaimed.  "  I  am  a  member  of; 
the  Northern  congress — a  man  of  wealth  and. 
influence,  while  you  are  beneath  me  in  soci- 
ety. Yet,  I  condescend  to  make  love  to  you.. 
I  have  asked  you  to  become  my  wife.  Think: 
of  it — the  wife  of  a  congressman !" 

Which  is  no  honor  when  that  congress- 
man gives  up  the  Union  cause  after  the  fir?+ 
battle— when  he  despairs  of.  the  Repulilic  : 
was  the  quick  reply.  "I  have  no  dcsiie*^. 
in  the  gilded  society  of  Washington.  1 
am  not  fitted  for  it,  since  I  am  socially  so  tar 
beneath  the  mau  who  asks  for  my  hand  !" 

The  last  words,  uttered  in  a  tone  tinctured. 

ith  the  keenest  .sarcasm,  cut  Paul  Rogers 
to  the  quick.  They  told  him  that  his  cause 
had  failed,   and   tlie   rage  that  immediately- 


THE  WAR  LIBRARY. 


filled  his  eyes  must 
tbe  storm  soon  to  li 
"  I  aekiiowli'fl-.-  1 
hand,  I  liavf  stoopc 
exclaimed.  "A  ih 
jumped  at  thi-  oflVr 
rowed  dif;iiily,  and 


prepared  Lily  for 
rev  her  head. 
1  ntTering  you  my 
K  my  station!"  he 
I  jiiils  would  have 
vou  assume  a  bor- 
at  Paul  Rogers  as  you 


would  treat  a  tramp.  I  might  have  expect- 
ed this  of  tlie  womau  whom  I  have  ofiered 
to  befrieud  times  without  mmiber— the 
child  ot  a  man  too  proud  to  survive  a  little 
misfortune,  and  too  blue-blooded,  in  hi.s 
own  estimation " 

"There!"  cried  Lily,  her  eves  flashing  as 
the  interruption  left  lier  lips.  "The  mem- 
ory ot  my  tatluT  is  ton  sacio.l  to liemention- 
cd"l)y  you!  Let  this  niteivicw  terminate. 
Go  back  to  your  associato,  I'aul  Rogers,  and 
with  him  laugh  over  lliis  disaster  to  the 
Union  arms,  and  toast  in  wine  the  victorious 
Beauregard!  Yonder  is  the  i  hi.. i!'  an.l  Hi.- 
girl's  quivering  finger  i)..iiit.  .1  t..uai.l  Ih.' 
portal.  "I  care  naught  (or  tin'  station  v. m 
have  disgraced.  My  mind  is  made  up.  1 
will  never  l)e  a  congressman's  wife." 

"  Ha,  ha,  ha !"  laughed  Paul  Rogers.  "  By 
Jove!  you're  gettmg  independent  for  a 
woman  ot  your  caste.  We  will  see  what  the 
future  brings  forth.  If  you  have  selected  a 
lover,  I  would  like  to  know  his  name;  by 
Jove!  I  would." 

"  Certainly,  sir,  though  I  do  him  no  honor 
by  mentioning  his  name  in  your  iJieseuce," 
was  the  reply.  "  You  have  heard  of  Dick 
Griswold— Sharpshooter  Dick,  they  call 
him." 

"A  hanger  on  of  the  army,  I  expect!" 
sneered  the  irate  congressman.  "  I  am  not 
startled.  If  I  am  not  mistaken,  he  is  the  fel- 
low who  invaded  Dueroy's  mansion  during 
his  last  reception— a  fellow  who  should  have 
received  forty  lashes  for  his  insolence." 

"The  same,  sir;  but  th.iv  was  not  in  tlie 
Ducroy  lioiisi'  tliat  uiLiiit,  st length  enough 
to  have  a.liiiinistcMi-.i  i  he  forty  blows?" 
cried  Lily,  proudly.  "  But  why  extend  this 
interview 'i'" 

She  turned  from  her  visitor  as  she  finished, 
and  he  stared  at  her  for  a  moment  with  the 
r  eyes  of  an  enraged  tiger. 

"  We  do  not  |iart  for  the  last  time,"  he  ex- 
claimed. 'Ml  tal;.-  ;i  notion  to  win  you  in 
spite  ol  y.ii;i  a.li.'ii  to-night,  this  brave 
lover  111  .MMo  -  iTia>  liii.l  :u  me  a  rival  worthy 
of  his  Hi.  Ml.  .  1  ha\.'  wooed  and  won  too 
many  \v..i.i.  ii  i..  h.'  halUed  hy  one  now. 
This  may  !..■  ii.-u  ^  1.,  y.,u.  I.ut  " 

"Itisiioi  ii.'H.-.,  Ml!      was  Lily's  interrup- 
ti«ii.     ■•I'aul    K..-I1S,    1    kw>\v    more   about 
yoor  pa=t  lili-   thaii   ,\..u   think  I  do.    Yes, 
8U-;    you    have    «......!     an.l     won    women. 

What  are  they  now  •  .\slc  y.>in'  craven  soul 
that  question  befoi.'  \  ..ii  l...asl  of  your  deeds 
again!  Leave  my  Idum',  and  never  cross 
my  threshold  more  with  your  unsanctifled 
tread !  I  loath  and  abhoi'  you,  if  you  do  sit 
in  the  halls  of  the  stately  edillee  across  the 
river.  Your  heart  is  with  the  rebellion  in 
this  struggle.  It  must  be  where  Dueroy's 
is,  for  two  baser,  blacker  hearts  never  beat 
in  unison  for  an  accursed  cause!    Go,  sir!" 

For  a  minute,  Paul  Rogers  staied  into  the 
fair  girl's  face,  and  then  he  glided  toward 
the  door.    He  was  the  embodiment  of  rage. 

"  You  will  hear  from  me  again !"  he  grat- 
ed, turning  at  the  door  upon  the  girl.  "I'll 
find  the  means  to  tame  you.  my  pretty 
tigress.  Tliis  is  the  kind  of  conquest  I  like, 
and  before  li>ii^ " 

"Enouiili  I'  iri.il  Lily,  as  a  revolver  leap- 
ed from  l.cn.ath  h.-i  apron,  and  was  thru.-l 
forward  liy  li.'r  ri.Lihl  hand.  "  I  am  not  de- 
fenseless, as  you  may  see.  It  is  my  desire 
that  you  immediately  leave  me  alone." 

The  liatlied  cougressman  looked  over  the 
leveled  weapon  into  Lily  Donway's  face,  and 
hastily  betook  himself  from  the  door. 

The  girl  lowered  the  weapon,  and  unfet- 
tered a  sigh  of  relief. 

"Birds  of  a  feather!"  she  said,  in  audible 
tones.  "I  now  know  Paul  Rogers  better 
than  ever.  I  wish  Dii'k  had  been  here  to 
have  thrown  him  onl  of  the  house!" 

"Hall..o!  K..^.is,  •  .ailed  a  man  to  the 
congressman,  a.--  1 1.' I  mned  the  corner  nearest 
Lily's  honsi'.  "  Iv.'  been  looking  for  you 
this  half  hour.  Been  making  love  again,  eh  ■;■ 
Well,  how  did  you  succeed  this  time'/ " 

"Poorly  enough!"  grated  the  scheming 
congressman,  as  he  joined  the  speaker 
"Nevermind,  Jocelyn;  I'm  going  to  crush 
her  spirit,  and  then  mold  it  to  please  my 
fancy!" 

CHAPTER  X. 

LILY   ON   THE   BATTLISB'IELD. 

Night  had  settled  down  upon  Alexandria 


her  stormy  interview  with  Paul  Rogers,  the 
cougressman. 

She  was  simply  habited,  and  picked  her 
way  down  the  dim  streets  to  the  western 
suburlis  ot  the  town.  A  large  number  of 
soldiers  still  iiinainc.l  in  the  place;  but  the 
.-.1    luiiitives  from  Bull 

■d  111  the  eapitol;  huu- 
to  their  homes,  so  com- 
n  Army  been  demoral- 


bulk  . 


All  i 


dreds  had  passed  i 
pletely  had  the  Ui 
ized. 

Lily  knocked  on  the  door  of  one  of  the 
last  houses  on  the  western  side  of  the  town, 
and  after  a  tew  minutes  it  was  opened  by  an 
elderly  woman  who    r.'.-..giiizi'.l    the   young 


it  deal  . 


wlial    a    terrible    sight  the  battlefield    must 

■or  .nurse,  Mrs.  Peyton;  but  I  am  not 
here  to  talk  about  that.  Is  your  horse  in  the 
stable 'i"' 

"  Yes;  but " 

"I  want  him." 

"You,  Lily,  and  to-night'/" 

"  I  must  have  a  horse.  I  am  going  to  the 
battlefield!" 

Mrs.  Peyton  held  up  her  hands  with  amaze- 
ment, and  uttered  an  exclamation  of  incred- 
ulity. 

"  Do  not  waste  my  time  questioning  me," 
continued  the  girl.  "  I  am  going  to  Bull 
Run.    1  know  the  way,  tor  I  was  there  in  the 


and  war  times." 

ni.i.^t  go  thither never- 
.Mi.^.  Peyton.    He  is  in 


theh- 
thes 

Lily  moved  toward  a  door  as  she  finished, 
to  be  followed  by  Mrs.  Peyton  with  an  ejac- 
ulation of  anxiety. 

"  It  is  my  only  horse,"  she  said.  "  What  if 
he  should  be  taken  from  you'i"' 

"In  that  event  vou  shall  leeeive  full  value 
for  him,"  was  the  qiii.k  i  ...-.(...hm',  ■■  I  am 
not  a  beggar,  if  I  am  o.M.r,  ili>.  I'.y  t.,ii.' 

Lily  spoke  with  sonu>  icsfiitiin-n't. 

"  l^ardon  me,  my  dear  child  ;  1  did  not  in- 
tend to  insinuate  anything.  Take  my  horse 
and  welcome.  I  know  that  you  would  not 
go  to  Bull  Run  at  this  hour  except  on  a  good 


aiss 
field.' 


Duty  must  call  you  to  the  battle- 


Duty  does,  indeed,  call  me  thither,"  said 
Lily.  "A  kindness  shown  me  now  by  a 
friend  will  not  be  lost  in  the  future." 

Mrs.  Peyton  now  placed  herself  before 
Lily,  and  led  the  way  through  the  back 
yard  to  the  stable. 

"Heavens!"  the  former  suddenly  ex- 
claimed. "The  door  is  unlocked.  See! 
Lily,  the  lock  is  lyiu] 
horse  has  been  taken 

Lily  threw  wide  the  stable  door,  which 
was  really  unlocked,  and  stepped  boldly  into 
the  darkness  beyond  the  threshold. 

The  rear  door  of  the  structure  opened  upon 
an  alley,  and  tne  loyal  girl  thought  she  de- 
tected the  figures  of  a  horse  and  a  man  in 
the  narrow  aisle  beyond  the  rear  door. 

Not  hesitating  a  moment,  she  drew  the 
revolver  which  she  had  lately  thrust  into  a 
lover's  face,  rushed  through  the  stable,  and 
reached  the  alley  as  a  man  sprung  upon  the 
hack  of  a  horse  before  her  eyes. 

■"I'hi.-I !  .  I  ism.  Hint  this  instant!"  she  cried, 
;;;  a-|.iim  til.' r.iii.  a.s  the  man  took  it  up  for 
ihi'  pill  [..isi-  ..t  I  iiiiiug  the  horse  away.  "You 
.lisma.  .■  til.-  nnilorin  you  wear,  for  I  see 
ttot  you  are  a  Union  soldier.  Get  down  and 
r^oin  your  comrades.  Do  not  add  tli.-fl  1.. 
your  late  cowardice  on  the  field  of  baltl.-.' 

The  startled  man  saw  the  gleamint;  i .  - 
volver  barrel  which  Lily  was  talking  ovci . 
and  did  not  stand  upon  the  order  of  his 
going. 

He  recoiled  from  the  sight  with  a  cry ; 
and,  in  less  than  a  minute  afterward,  was 
flying  down  the  alley  as  if  a  legion  of  blood- 
hounds were  at  his  heels. 

"Just  in  time,"  remarked  Lily  to  Mrs. 
Peyton,  who  appeared  on  the  scene  at  that 
moment.  "Your  horse  had,  indeed,  been 
taken;  but  he  will  yet  carry  me  to  Bull 
Run.  I  am  ashamed  to  say  tliat  the  tJiett 
was  committed  by  a  bluecoat." 

Mrs.  Peyton  was  overjoyed  to  discover 
that  her  horse  had  been  recaptured  by  the 
girl's  daring,  and  again  told  Lily  to  ride  him 
wherever  duty  called  her. 

In  a  little  time  a  side-saddle  was  strapped 
upon  the  steed's  back,  and  the  loyal  girl  was 
securely  seated  thereon. 

"  When  shall  I  look  tor  you,  Lily  ?"  asked 
Mrs.  Peyton,  as  she  held  for  a  moment  the 
little  hand  that  had  been  put  down  to  her. 

"  That  I  cannot  tell.    I  have  not  yet  told 


you  what  takes  me  to  the  battlefield.  Dick 
marched  forward  with  the  army,  but  did 
not  return  with  it.  If  something  had  not 
happened  I  would  have  seen  him  before 
now.  This  thought  harasses  me.  Dick  has 
met  with  misfortune.  If  he  has  not  been 
killed,  he  has  fallen  into  the  hands  of  the 
rebels.  I  am  going  to  discover  his  fate, 
whatever  it  is." 

"May  fortune  go  with  you,  Lily.  I  am 
going  to  pray  that  you  may  find  Dick 
safe." 

"Do  so,  Mrs.  Peyton.  Now,  good-by!" 
and  the  widow's  horse  bore  Lily  swiftly 
down  the  alley. 

When  she  reached  the  broad  street  into 
which  it  debouched— if  we  may  use  the  term 
in  this  connection— she  glanced  upward  at 
the  star-studded  sky,  and  set  off  at  a  still 
brisker  gallop. 

The  road  to  Bull  Run  lay  before  the 
girl. 

It  was  almost  deserted,  but  here  and  there 
moved  a  few  wounded  stragglers,  who  had 
escaped  capture  on  the  battlefield  by  hiding 
in  various  places. 

These  invariably  stepped  aside  when  they 
heard  the  hoofs  of  Lily's  horse,  and  shud- 
dered in  the  shadows  of  night  until  the  girl 
had  passed  on. 

It  was  a  long,  lonely  gallop,  but  Lily  did 
not  feel  fatigued.  The  widow's  steed  was 
an  animal  of  clever  bottom,  and  picked  his 
way  nobly  over  the  road,  avoiding  here  a 
pile  of  knapsacks,  and  tliere  leaping  over  a 
detached  cannon  wheel,  relics  of  the  lost 
field  of  Bull  Run. 

The  stars  went  down,  but  the  girl  kept  on. 

Morning  was  beginning  to  illumine 
the  east  before  she  drew  rein.  Ob- 
jects until  then  obscured  by  darkness  began 
to  show  themselves  to  her  vision  ;  she  saw 
the  trees  that  covered  a  portion  of  tha  bat- 
tlefield, and  here  and  there  moving  bodies 
of  men. 

It  is  well  known  that  the  Confederates  did 
not  take  advantage  of  the  route  of  the  Union 
army,  tliat  a  li.it  pursuit  would  have  in  all 
prol'ialiilily  i.-sult.-il  in  the  seizure  of  Wash- 
ington, together  -with  the  valuable  archives 
of  the  general  government. 

The  pursuit  had  been  abandoned  by  the 
victorious  Southerners  at  the  very  moment 
when  thej;  should  have  pressed  it  with  the 
greatest  vigor. 

They  were  satisfied  with  having  beaten 
McDowell,  and  confidently  expected— many 
of  them,  at  least^that  the  North  would  re- 
cognize the  Confederacy,  and  the  war  be 
thus  brought  to  a  speedy  termination. 

This  was  why  Lily  saw  bodies  of  men 
dressed  in  gray  moving  over  the  scene  of 
carnage. 

The  dead  were  being  collected,  and  laid  in 
trenches,  and  the  wounded  still  on  the  field 
sent  to  the  rear. 

"  What  if  I  am  to  find  Dick  among  the 
dead,"  passed  through  the  girl's  mind,  as 
she  watched  several  of  these  burial  parties 
from  the  saddle.  "  His  absence  from  Alex- 
andria up  the  time  of  my  departure  from 
home  tells  me  that  something  has  happened 
to  him.  I  pray  Heaven  that  he  may  be  safe, 
and  that — — " 

"  Hello !  there's  a  woman,  if  my  eyes  don't 
deceive  me!"  suddenly  interrupted  a  man's 
voice  which  caused  Lily  to  turn. 

"I  am  discovered,"  she  murmured;  and 
then,  assuming  a  bold  front,  she  continued: 
"  I  will  not  fly  from  these  men,  for  they  do 
not  make  war  on  women.  I  am  going  to 
stand  my  ground." 

A  niiiiute  later  her  horse  stood  in  the 
mi. 1st  of  the  little  burial  party,  and  she 
r.iiin.l  herself  closely  scrutinized  by  all. 


leader  of  the  squad. 

"From  Alexandria,"  answered  Lily  deter- 
mined to  be  truthful,  come  what  might. 

"Direct,  miss?" 

"Yes." 

"  Do  you  live  there  ?" 

"I  do,  sir." 

Her  questioner  was  silent  for  a  moment, 
and  then  he  turned  to  one  of  his  men. 

"  Bergen,  you  will  go  and  tell  Major  Tem- 
pletou  that  we  have  a  person  direct  from 
Alexandria.  You  will  find  the  major  just 
beyond  the  brow  of  yon  rise.  You  are  not 
to  be  harmed,  miss,"  he  went  on,  looking  up 
into  Lily's  face  as  the  soldier  addressed 
started  off. 

Although  assured  by  the  Confederate  that 
no  harm  should  befall  her,  Lily  did  not  feel 
entirely  at  her  ease,  and  watehed  the  mes- 
senger until  he  disappeared  over  the  brow 
of  the  rise. 

More  than  once  thoughts  of  escape  flashed 
through  her  brain.    She  believed  that  she 


THE  WAR  LIBRARY. 


11 


had  but  to  speak  to  her  horse  to  send  him 
away  with  a  bound. 

The  burial  party  wore  only  their  side 
arms,  and  escape  would  not  be  attended 
■with  any  great  danger;  but  mature  deliber- 
ation rejected  all  the  jjlaus  that  offered 
themselves,  and,  instead  of  Hying  from  the 
burial  squad,  she  remained  in  their  midst, 
waiting  quietly  for  the  return  of  the  mes- 
senger to  Major  Terapletdu. 

Presently  the  heads  of  several  horses  ap- 
peared over  the  top  of  the  knoll,  which  was 
not  more  than  two  hundred  yards  distant, 
and  inplam  view,  and  those  horsemen,  head- 
ed by  a  soldierly-looking  Confederate  otBcer, 
approached. 

Lily  kept  her  eyes  fastened  on  the  little 
group,  and  mentally  picked  out  Major  Tem- 
pleton  as  the  frio  came  up. 

"Aha!  a  vhuiik  woruaii,  sure  enough," 
said  the  (ifliiiT.  si-iidiiii;  the  words  with  a 
glancoovci-  liis  siKM'Ider  to  his  companions, 
and  then  he  f:allantly  lifted  his  hat  to  Lily, 
and  looked  quickly  around  to  see  whether 
his  comrades  had  followed  his  example  of 
gentility 

Lily  leturned  the  salutation,  and  the  next 
second  Jlaioi-  'r<-niiili-(oii  »  us  at  her  side. 

He  was  \,iv  lij  iitl^.iin.',  .huk  eyed,  well 
complcx'oiic.l,  iLii'l  Ml. II.  ail  abundance  of 
raven  lucks,  whi.  h  t..iiclii.l  his  shoulders. 
He  was  iili\>i(aU\  a  im. d.rn  Apollo,  and 
Lily  cciild  iM.t  licli.a.liiiiiiiiir  him. 

Ah!  if  at  that  iii.Miiint  llie  near  fate  of 
thatbi-avc  ijiaii  had  l.cin  revealed  to  her, 
she  would  have  tiiiiu-d  li.r  lace  away  and 
shuddered 

Majcu-  'J'lnipl.  tons  v.iei.  was  singularly 
sweet  when  h.' a.hlr.-s,  ,1  t he  loyal  girl. 

"I  ha\e  he,!i  inreiuH-d,  miss,  that  yoU 
come  direct  fmiu  Alexaiidi  ia?"  he  said. 

"I  am  direct  from  ther.-,  '  replied  thegirl. 
"I  left  in  the  iiif;ht,  altera,  great  part  of 
the  Union  army  had  reached  it." 

"What  bidiijiht  y  oil  hither— if  I  may  ask 
such  a  liohl  iiH.-.-lioir/" 


foui; 


relati 


.Ma 


ederal  dead  have  been 
buried  by  our  tro.'iis,  and  your  search,  even 
if  your  tiieiid  was  among  them,  may  prove 
futile.  Let  me  hope,  miss,  that  your  friend 
stilUives,  and  will  meet  yoti  soon ;  but  just 
now  I  feel  that  1  have  a  duty  to  perform 
which  may  not  meet  with  your  approba- 
tion " 

Lil. 
office'r's   face, 
would  prove  to  be 

"  As  you  have  ridden  direct  from  Alexan- 
dria, miss,"  he  continued,  after  a  moment's 
silence.  "  1  am  constrained  to  escort  you  to 
our  gene.al's  lieadquarters,  for  reasons  which 
you  may  diviuc  ' 

"I  imdersland  you,"  said  Lily,  quickly. 
"I  am  expected  to  give  General  Beauregard 
some  information  about  the  Unionists." 

"That  is  it,"  said  the  major's  eyes,  as  he 
bowed. 

"Your  duty  shall  be  barren  of  results," 
continued  the  loyal  girl.  "I  assure  you 
that  1  know  nothing  that  would  servo  your 
chief,  and,  if  I  did,  I  am  fearful  that  I  would 
keep  my  lips  sealed." 

Lily  smiled  as  she  finished,  and  glanced  at 
her  auditors. 

"Ha!  I  see!  A  Yankee  girl!"  exclaimed 
Templeton,  pleasantly.  "I  cannot  release 
you  on  the  strength  of  your  declaration.  I 
will  bo  your  escort  to  Beauregard  ;  with 
whom,  I  am  sure,  you  will  be  delighted." 

Five  minutes  later  Major  Templeton  and 
the  fair  girl  were  riding  toward  the  fortifi- 
cations at  Manassas  Junction. 

The  Soutlierner  was  very  communicative, 
and  pointed  out  to  Lily  the  already  famous 
parts  of  the  woods  as  they  rode  along. 

"  General  Beauregard  is  an  adroit  ques- 
tioner," said  Templeton,  suddenly.  "  If  you 
linow  anything,  I  am  sure  he  will  worm  it 
from  you." 

"  I  must  persist  in  saying  that  I  know  noth- 
ing, i  am  quite  ready  to  endure  the  ques- 
tioi 
heart: 

The  Confederate  did  not  reply,  but  turned 
away  with  a  thoughtful,  if  not  a  regretful 
look,  in  his  dark  eyes. 

CHAPTER  XI. 

THE    SHAEPSHOOTER  IN  DURANCE. 

Bent  on  ascertaining  the  fate  of  Nettie 
Knox,  the  congressman's  ward,  Sharpshooter 


of  the  girl's   whereabouts,   he  might    have 
turned  back  to  assist  her. 

As  it  was,  he  pressed  on,  dressed  in  rebel 
gray,  but  armed  witli  tic- weapon  which  had 
done  siu'h  leiiihie  ex..,uti,.ii  atBidlRun. 
Hisface  was  he-iiiiie.l  with  powder,  and  it 
was    not    i.iohahle  tliat    the    i-nemy   would 

Tliouu'hlsolDueroyand.ludgeChubbhad 
long  siiiee  vaiiisiii'd  from  his  mind,  and  he 
was  ill  si^'ht  ol  Beauregard's  fortifications, 
wlii-ii  a  v..iee  on  his  left  caused  him  to  start. 


strain  I  have  undergone  ;  Ijut  1  am  fresh,  and 
can  boast  of  steady  nerves.    The  Chubbs  have 
always  been  noted  for  their  composure  under 
trying  ordeals." 
Sharpshooter  Dick    could    not    repress    a 


th." 


ha.l  lo>t  th.'  Iiat  whi.h  lielia.l  woni  t..  the 
batlleli,.hl,  but  he  wore  another  wliieli  had 
at  one  time  been  stepped  on  and  sadly 
crushed  by  an  artillery  horse.  He  looked 
most  unlike  a  judge. 

"Yes,  sir,"  he  went  on,  addressing  the 
amused  group.  "If  it  hadn't  l>een  for  the 
man  who  jjushed  me  from  his  horse  ni  or.ler 
to  save  his  own  worthless  lil...  1  wouhin  tlie 
here  now.  I  wish  you  could  lateli  tluit  fel- 
low, for  I'd  like  to  sit  in  judgment  on  him. 
He'd  think  he  had  a  Jeffreys  to  deal  witli, 
and,  by  my  life!  he  would  find  me  one,  too. 
When  he  came  back  and  found  me  in  the  log, 
he  pulled  me  out  as  roughly  as  he  could,  al- 
most stripping  my  garments  over  mv  bead. 
Thafswhathe  callsscaliiiK  a  ehnb,  I  reckon. 
Catch  that  fellow  and  let  me  s.nteiiee  him, 
and  I'll  go  to  Richmond  without  a  woiil.  ' 

Sharpshooter  Dick  heard  tlie  judge  with- 
out any  difficulty,  for  he  spoke  in  a  loud 
tone: 

"  I'm  deuced  glad  you  don't  know  I'm  so 
near,  judge,"  said  the  mountaineer,  with  a 
grateful  smile.  "  Those  Confederates  would 
let  you  sentence  me  if  they  had  me  in  their 
clutches,  for  they're  in  the  proper  humor. 
You'd  have  me  drawn  and  quartered,  I  ex- 
pect, my  dear  judge;  but  I'll  keep  away  for 
the  present." 

Having  finished,  with  this  resolve.  Sharp- 
shooter Dick  left  the  composed  man  and  his 
captors,  and  passed  deeper  into  the  Con- 
federate camp  that  lay  around  Manassas. 

"Jim  Ducroy!"  suddenly  fell  from  his 
lips,  as  three  men,  well  moumted,  burst  sud- 
denly upon  his  vision. 

Instantly  the  sharpshooter  came  to  a  halt, 
and  fixed  his  eyes  upon  the  trio  riding  toward 
him  from  the  fortifications.  Two,  he  had 
never  seen  before,  but  he  knew  they  were 
Confederate  officers  of  high  rank. 

The  congressman  was  at  his  ease,  and  in  a 
jovial  mood. 

"You  wouldn't  appear  sojolly,"  said  Dick, 
eying  him,  "if  you  knew  who  has  the  dis- 
patches you  sent  to  Beauregard  by  Melville 
Dare.  You're  in  good  company  now,  and 
don't  think  about  them ;  but  they'll  turn  up 
one  of  these  days  to  your  sorrow." 

By  this  time  the  three  men  had  halted 
within  earshot  of  the  sharpshooter,  who  was 
partly  concealed  from  them  liy  a  tree  against 
which  he  leaned  in  a  careless  manner. 

"  I  am  rejoiced  that  you  found  your  pretty 
ward  safe  within  our  lines,"  said  one  of  the 
officers,  turning  to  Ducroy.  "  She  had  a 
narrow  escape.  The  great  wonder  is  that 
she  was  not  killed  outright." 

"It  is,  indeed,"  answered  Ducroy.  "  I  am 
satisfied  that  Nettie  was  born  under  a  lucky 
star.  News  of  the  shell  and  the  runaway  has 
undoubtedly  reached  Washington,  and  her 
friends  believe  her  dead,  of  course.  I  am 
anxious  to  reach  the  city  again,  to  undeceive 
them  and  to  resume  my  duties  there." 

The  officers  gave  Ducroy  a  look  of  much 
amazement. 

"  Are  you  not  afraid  to  go  back  to  Wash- 
ington after  what  has  occurred  ?"  asked  one. 

"I  am  not,"  was  Ducroy's  reply.  "The 
man  who  robbed  Melville  of  my  dispatches 
did  so  hoping  to  get  money  or  something  as 
valuable.  Instead  of  being  afraid  to  return 
to  the  capital,  I  shall  set  out  for  it  to-day. 
Nettie  has  recovered  from  the  shook  occa- 


sioned by  her  terrible  accident,  and  is  eager 
to  return  to  the  old  home." 

"We  shall  dismiss  you  with  a  great  many 
regrets,  Ducroy,"  was  the  reply.  "  We  like 
to  have  our  friends  with  us ;  but,  if  you  will 
go  back  to  the  capital,  we  shall  hear  from 
you  often?" 

"  Certainly.  You  know  where  my  heart  is 
in  this  struggle  ?" 

"  That  I  do ;  but  I  am  not  so  certaia  that 
we  have  your  lovely  ward's  sympathiesi." 

Ducroy  started. 

"  What  is  that  you  say,  general?"  lie  ex- 
claimed. "  Nettie  in  sympathy  with  the 
Noith?  I  cannot  believe  this.  I  thought  I 
hail  giMii  thegirl  a  better  schooling." 

■'( '.line,  come,  Ducroy ;  let  the  girl  think 
as  she  pleases.  She  may  espouse  t'je  cause  of 
I  he  North  just  now  ;  but  it  will  only  be  for  a 
lillle  while.  Our  victory  of  yesterday  will 
open  her  eyes,  and  she  will  oome  around 
gracefully  licfore  another batt.e.  Now,  don't 
upbraid  the  girl,  and  read  he'  a  lesson  in  dis- 
cipline; but  take  her  back  t</ the  capital  ap- 
parently iliiioiaiit  of  her  sympathy  with  the 
Nort  h .     \'  o  11  \M  1 1  . 1 1 ,  t his,  Ducroy  ?' ' 

"Yes,  general,  "  was  the  response.  "She'll 
not  hold  to  her  opinions  Ijng,  for  I  will  sur- 
loniid  lier  with  an  influence  that  will  blight 
her  loyal  roses  in  the  t'^d.    How  did  the  boy 


"Melville'/" 

"Very  well,  I  ar 
several  charges,  an 
genuine  courage. 


took  par 
exhibited  a  good  deal  of 
He  will    not    enter  the 


ant  hun  to,  at  any  rate,"  said 
Ducroy.  ••  'J'hat  young  man  was  cut  out  for 
a  secret  agent,  lie  lost  my  dispatches,  that 
is  true;  but  who  would  not  have  lost  them 
uiidei- the  same  circumstances?  Whenever 
N.iii  want  a  subtle  secret  agent,  call  on  Mel- 
\  ille  Dare,  general;  but  keep  him  outof  the 
i;iiiks.  A  Yankee  bullet  will  find  his  head, 
and  dcjirivc  us  of  an  invaluable  help.  I  have 
not  seen  him  since  last  night;  but  he  is  likely 
to  be  with  Nettie." 

The  conversation  lagged  here  for  awhile; 
when  it  was  resumed  the  topic  was  changed, 
and  the  trio  rode  back  toward  the  fortifica- 
tions. 

Sharpshooter  Dick  was  overjoyed  at  the 
news  he  had  just  heard. 

Nettie  Knox  had  escaped  with  hei-  life,  and 
was  somewhere  in  Beauregard's  camp. 

She  was  to  go  back  to  Washington  that 
day,  and  Captain  Constance  would  learn  of 
her  safety  sooner  perhaps  than  he  could  seek 
him  out  and  tell  him. 

"  So  my  friend,  Melville  Dare,  is  to  become 
a  secret  agent  of  the  Confederacy,"  mur- 
mured Dick,  before  he  left  the  tree.  "  I  may 
have  the  pleasure  of  meeting  him  while  he  is 
serving  in  that  capacity.  As  for  Jim  Ducroy, 
he  will  go  bock  to  Washingtou  and  play  the 
game  I  caught  him  at  the  other  night.  Well, 
go  on,  old  feller;  the  pitcher  that  goes  often 
to  the  well  gets  broken  at  last." 

Sharpshooter  Dick  had  now  no  mission  to 
perform. 

Fortune  had  solved  the  question  of  Nettie 
Knox's  fate,  and  he  could  now  go  back  to 
Alexandria  and  greet  the  girl  he  had  left  be- 
hind. 

He  was  about  to  turn  toward  Washington 
when  he  saw  Judge  Chubb  and  the  party  of 
Confederates  by  whom  he  had  been  sur- 
rounded at  the  caisson  advancing  toward 
him. 

They  were  so  near  that  the  sharpshooter 
could  not  avoid  them  without  exciting  sus- 
picion; he  therefore  resolved  to  remain 
where  he  was  until  they  had  passed. 

Tlie  judge  got  over  "the  ground  passably 
well  without  shoes,  but  every  now  and  then 
he  swore  roundly  at  Ihe  thought  of  going  to 
Richmond  as  a  prisoner  of  war. 

Sharpshooter  Dick,  feeling  safe,  saluted 
the  little  squad  as  it  filed  by,  and  was 
breathing  free  once,  more  \vheu  t:hubb's 
voice  was  heard. 

"Hold  on  there,  cap!"  be  called  to  the 
leader  of  the  party.  "That  leilow's  face 
looks  famiUar  to  me.  I  know  him;  certainly 
I  do !  He's  the  chap  what  went  back  on  me 
yesterday.    He's  a  Yankee  in  disguise ! ' ' 

These  words  seemed  to  rivet  Sharpshooter 
Dick  to  the  spot  where  he  stood. 

The  Confederate  soldiers  surrounded  him 
almost  before  he  could  lift  a  hand. 

"Yes;  he's  the  same  fellow!"  continued 
Judge  Chubb,  who  now  stood  before  Dick 
with  outstretched  finger. 

"  You  infernal  scoundrel,  why  did  you  de- 
sert me  to  my  fate  yesterday?  Had  you  no 
sympathy  for  the  little  Chubbs  at  home? 
Oh,  I'd  like  to  pass  sentence  on  you.  But  I 
cannot  talk  as  I'd  like  to.  I  would  shatter 
the   composure  of  my  nerves   and   render 


12 


THE  WAR  LIBRARY. 


:idy. 


The 


auds,  men— a 
tt-rciuy.  He's 
r  one  of  your 
niDK  if  you'd 


thei 

Yaokfs-  wLo  fougl 
discarfled  his  liuiit 
uuifornis.  You  wcj 
haughim  fm-  a  spy 

It  is  needless  to  say  tliat  the  gray  coats 
sprung  forward  to  lay  hands  upon  Sharp- 
shooter Dick. 

"Jes' stand  back  a  moment,"  he  said  to 
them.  "You've  sot  me  fast,  an'  I'm  not 
going  to  try  I.,  trit    uway.     1  want  to  speak 

"K.  o|i  (,il,  k,  (  (,  oil  :  '  i(]ared  the  judge, 
motioniiiu  111.'  -l,a]'i.>lii>citiTa«-ay.  "Don't 
lettli'l'  I'  i"U.  I]  iiH  ,  uiiTi.  I  aiii  pprfeotly 
helpl.",  l>;it  \ioii,i,.|-lully  rMliii.     Wljy  don't 


"N "1,.  of   iliat   kind   of  work!"  cried 

theU-aaeidf  tlio  s.iuaii,  as  he  clutched  the 
shariishooter's  arm  ami  jerked  him  back. 

"I'm  porlf-clly  satisfied,"  was  the  reply, 
as  Dick  turned  from  the  judge,  who  was  too 
mad  to  talk. 

"Tliat  coward  accuses  me  of  being  a  Yan- 
kee spy.  He  does  so  because  I  abandoned 
him  yestenlay  to  save  my  own  life.  I  guess 
I  have  a  ri;.'ht  to  do  that,  haven't  I.  Prove 
that  f  am  a  s|iy.  and  I'll  let  you  hang  me 
with  the  1h's(  •riai'<'  imaeinable.  I  was  in 
thefi-lif  yr-tcnlay  ;  of  course  I  was;  but  I 
wasn't  ihcie  as  a  s|.v.  Killbuck  an'  me  war 
fightiu'  on  our  own  hook." 

put   any  confidence  iu    the  spy 


the  word  of  any  man  who  will  quietly  sub- 
mit to  being  kicked,  and  that  among  a  lot 
of  soldiers." 

The  judge  groaned  and  subsided. 

A  minute  later  Sharpshooter  Dick  was 
conducted  from  the  soeue  of  his  capture, 
and  was  halted  a  short  time  afterward  be- 
fore a  grouj)  of  Confederate  otticers  within 
the  fortifications. 

"Great  heavens!  you  Ijcic'r  "  oxclaimed 
ayouu-  iriao.  >liriii:;li,ii  l.,u;ir.l  I  lick.  "I 
thou-iit  fate  uoul.l  I. nil-  ii^  t.  i;;>>l  ii.T  again. 


CHAPTER  XII. 

MELVILLE   D.VRE   IS   BAFFLED. 

'I  tliiul;  I'm  not  likely  tn  he   treatrfl   as  a 


meul,  and  while  one 
ington  to  play  a  doul 
going  to  act  as  a  scer( 


nst  the  gorern- 
:  back  to  Wash- 
e,  the  other  is 
t  for  the  South, 
latwill  help  him 
win  Nettie  Kiui.x.  Wal,  Dick  (iriswold  ain't 
dead  yet,  my  gray  ducks.  Though  they've 
separated  him  an'  Killbuck,  he's  worth  all 
the  dead  men  at  Bull  Run." 

Melville  Dare  could  not  conceal  his  joy 
over  the  capture  of  the  loyal  sharpshooter. 
He  recalled  how  nearly  they  had  met  at  Bull 
Run,  and  he  knew,  too,  that  the  charge  of 
the  Union  brigade  had  secured  Dick's  atten- 
tion for  a  moment,  thus  preserving  his 
(Melville's)  life. 

The  two  foes  stood  face  to  face  once  more, 
Melville  Dare  exultant.  Sharpshooter  Dick 
I  aim  and  silent. 

■'  I  guess  we'll  send  you  to  Richmond  with 
the  bunch  of  Yankee  prisoners  that  go  off 
I  Ids  morning,"  said  the  Confederate  colonel, 
mto  whose  presence  the  sharpshooter  had 
been  conveyed. 

"What's  the  use  of  that,  colonel,"  ex- 
claimed Melville  Dare.  "That  man  is  evi 
deatly  a  spy.    He  haa  beeu  caught  in  South. 


ern  uniform,  and  within  our  lines.  This 
fact  proves  him  a  (laii;.'Hious  pcisou.  For 
my  naif,  1  .Mnt  .-.■.■tin'  i.i.  .|iii..(  v  of  ^.■llllill■•■ 
him'to  i;i.hiii..iiii  a-  a  .■.".111111..11  |'.ii~..ii.^i^."    " 

officer's  ^e^4Joll^c,  MS  he  bestow. -d  a  wither- 
ing look  on  Melville.  "  I  have  control  of 
this  business,  and  I  propose  to  e.\ercise  my 
best  judgment  without  advice  from  any 
one." 

The  secret  Hfrout  darted  a  baleful  look  at 
the  spi-akei ,  aii.l  slunk  away. 

■■  Do  as  y..n  i.li'Ms.-,  '  he  hissed,  under  his 
bieatii.  ■•  If  1  lauuot  lake  revenge  now,  I 
will  iu  the  near  future.  I  will  show  you, 
Coloiiel  Boswell,  that  I  am  not  powerless 
liii  c,  simply  because  I  have  no  command  in 


to  his  side,  and   the  next  moment   his  hand 
closed  on  one  of  his  ears. 

"Mercy!      mercy!"     roared     the    judge. 
"Soldiers  i.f  the  South, am  1  to  be  butchered 


'  you're  the  first  cur 


her  face,  and  her  eyes  wandered  toward  her 
guardian  and  his  companions. 

"I  don't  believe  in  dreams,"  laughed 
Melville,  "  I  did  once;  but  I  have  discover- 
ed that, 

"Dreams  are  the  childrenof  an  idle  brain, 
Begot  of  nothing  but  vain  fantasT  : 
Which  Is  as  thin  of  substance  aa  the  air. 


I^Aha!"  ejaculated  Nettie,  smiling  faintly. 


ain;  but  let 


leav 


this 


y,,un?.';riil  .■jirn.-    I..rtli.  .-seoi'tud  by  a  hauU- 

-Mehill.    n      .     -        ,    ^  halted. 

"Vcii.xi  .iity!"  he  exclaimed. 

"1  flout  iliiiil;  I  .\.i  saw  her  before.  I 
wonder  what  has  just  taken  place;  she 
seems  to  be  ci'ying." 

He   did    not   move 


Kichii 


iid,  I 


ille. 


■  (  .  I  laiiil}  ii..t.  She  came  to  the  battl 
fiel.l  I.,  s.  ai.  Ii  for  a  friend  who  fought 
af;aiii>t  us  Msterday.  She  shed  a  few  tears 
when  I  told  her  she  must  go  to  Richmond  ; 
but  I  would  not  relent,  and  Templetou  led 
her  away." 

Melville  was  silent  for  a  time,  and  as 
Beauregard  did  not  refer  to  the  girl  again, 
he  said : 

"  You  recollect,  general,  that  I  was  robbed 
of  some  important  dispatches  the  other 
night?" 

"Indeed  I  do." 

"I  told  you  I  thought  I  knew  who  took 
them  ':"' 

"Yes,  yes!" 

"Well,  general,  I  have  the  happiness  to  in- 
form you  that  the  roblier  has  just  been 
taken,  dresse.l  in  .'^..utliern  gray." 

"A  spy,  as  will  as  a  robber  of  my  messen- 
gers!" exilaiiiii'd  Beauregard.  "'We'll  have 
to  make  an  example  of  this  fellow.  Where 
isli...  .Mehill..;'" 

"In  til.,  hail. is  of  Colonel  Boswell,  who 
seems  ilet.rmiued  to  transport  him  to  Rich- 
tnoud  as  a  common  and   unimportant  pris- 

"  He  would,  eh?"  cried  the  rebel  com- 
mander. "I  will  attend  to  this  mtitter,  for  I 
am  an.xious  to  deal  with  the  fellow.  Mr. 
Duii'oy  and  his   ward   are  about  to  set  out 

'\lt'l'vilTe' spi-i'mg'Il'p'and  left  \hi  place; 

He  did  want  to  see  both  Nettie  and  her 
guardian  before  they  left:  the  latter  es- 
pecially. 

Not  far  away,  he  came  across  a  little 
group  of  Confederate  officers  who  surround- 
ed a  barouche  drawn  by  two  siilendiil 
horses.  The  fair  face  of  Nettie  was  seen  at 
the  window,  which  had  been  lowered,  and 
Ducroy  himself  was  saying  good-by  to  the 
officers. 

As  Melville  approached,  he  caught  Net- 
tie's eye,  and  when  he  came  up,  the  girl  held 
out  her  hand,  with  a  smile  on  her  lips. 

"  We  are  going  back  to  the  capital,"  she 
said.  "  General  Johnston  has  placed  this 
team  at  our  disposal;  he  even  offered  an  es- 
cort, but  we  declined  the  latter  kindness ;  it 
would  not  look  well,  you  know.  You  will 
remain,  I  believe?" 

"  For  awhile,"  Melville  answered. 

"  Do  not  forget  what  I  have  advised  you," 
continued  Nettie,  lowering  her  voice.  "  If 
you  must  join  the  Confederacy,  join  it  as  a 
soldier.  Don't  play  the  role  of  spy ;  remem- 
ber the  fate  of  Hale  and  Andre.  I  dreamed 
last  night " 

The  young  girl  paused,  aa  some  color  left 


'  Not  until  you  have  related  your  dream. 
It  has  excited  my  curiosity.  What  did  you 
dream  last  night,  Nettie,  and  within  the- 
Confederate  lines,  too?" 

"Wc  may  meet  again,  gentlemen,"  said 
nueroy,  turning  at  this  junction  from  the 
( '..ufi-iierate  officers,  and  before  Nettie  could 
i.|ily.  "I  ivill  not  be  far  away  when  the 
.  ..ni.r-stoue  of  the  new  Capitol  is  laid  at 
Kiehmoiid.     We  must  beofl." 

"Quick!  Nettie— the  dream!"  exclaimed 
Melville,  as  Ducroy  advanced  toward  the- 
barouche.  • 

"It  is  too  late,"  said  the  girl.  "Mr.  Du- 
croy would  overhear  it,  andlaugh  at  me." 

„  »T„   -,.0    -.r...  „   X  _    ,        'osendme- 

le?    Heel 


'No,  no?    You  I 
away  without   it.    It  was  about 


"Ye 
the  fai 
it    yoi 


about  you,  Melville,"  said 
lie  iuto  the  Southern  army 
'    (lieie,    a    regular   soldier. 


"That  you  were  strangled  as  they  strangle 
spies !"  said  Nettie,  in  the  lowest  of  whispers, 
as  she  fixed  her  eyes  on  the  young  man's 
face. 

"My  God!    No! 
Dare,  and   while  1 


,\le 


■sh. 


haiigmau  summoning  him  to  the  gallows 
had  fallen  upon  his  person. 

"What  has  scared  you  almost  out  of  your 
boots  ?  "  exclaimed  Ducroy,  jovially.  "Come, 
Melville;  you  must  have  heard  your  death- 
warrant,  but  let  me  assure  you  that  Nettie 
will  never  speak  it." 

Nettie  Knox  avoided  Dueroy's  gaze,  and 
shrunk  back  among  the  cushions  of  the 
barouche. 

"  We're  off  for  the  capital !"  continued  the 
congressman  iu  a  different  tone.  "  Come 
and  see  us,  Melville.  What  am  I  saying? 
Of -course  you  will  not  forget  us  !  The  bat- 
tle yesterday  was  a  glorious  triumph  for  the 
Southern  arms;  more  are  to  follow,  if  Lin- 
.  ..In  persists  in  coercion.  Ah!  Melville,  this 
war  may  iinike  a  senator  out  of  you." 

Melville  glanced  at  Nettie  as  Ducroy  fin- 
ished, but  the  fair  girl's  eyes  were  turned 
from  him,  and  he  did  not  seek  to  attract  her 
attention. 

Ducroy  now  sprung  into  the  barouche, 
and  the  driver  gathered  up  the  lines. 

Melville  reached  his  hand  over  the  lowered 
window,  and  touched  the  delicate  little 
member  that  Nettie  held  out  to  him  with  a 
sweet,  sad  smile.  Ducroy  said  good-by  in  a 
harsher  t.nie,  and  the  next  moment  MelviUe 


Dan 


oad. 


1  it:  I  l.ii'gotto  say  to  Ducroy 
everytliin;^  that  I  wanted  to  say!"  he  sud- 
dely  exelahni-d.  turniugto  the  vehicle  which 
was  raf)idly  I'olliim nut  of  sight.  "I  didn't 
get  to  tell  him  that  we  had  the  dispatch- 
stealer  in  our  elutehes,  and  that  Beauregard 
is  going  to  make  short  work  of  hira.  The 
news  would  have  sent  him  back  to  Washing- 
ton in  the  best  of  spirits.  That  ugly  dream 
actually  frightened  me,  I  wonder  how 
such  things  ever  got  into  Nettie's  head  ?'  and 
the  young  man  left  the  spot, 

A  Virginian  himself,  and  a  .-^i-ion  of  one  of 
the  wealthiest  and  most  aristocratic  families 
of  the  "  mother  of  iiresideiits,"  MelvilleDare 
was  known  personally  to  all  the  Virginian 
officers  at  that  time  in  the  Confederate  ser- 
vice. 

Highly  educated,  a  crack  shot,  and  fear- 
less, he  was  favorably  known  wherever  his 
acquaintance  extended. 

No  person  who  knew  him  doubted  how  he 
would  act  when  "Virginia  left  the  Union. 
With  thousands  of  others,  many  of  whom 
were  conscientious  in  their  actions,  he  went 
with  his  state,  and  stood  ready  to  serve  her 
in  any  capacity,  the  humblest  not  e-xcepted. 

His  nature  was  tinctured  mth  revenge; 
when  he  hated,  he  hated  with  much  bittei^ 
ness ;  therefore  he  was  anxious  to  see  Sharp- 
shooter Dick  executed  as  a  spy— not  because 
lie  had  taken  up  arms  against  the  South,  bnt 
in  revenge  for  the  capture  of  the  dispatches 
on  the  road  to  Bull  Run. 


THE  WAR  LIBRARY 


"Ha!  here  you  are!"  exclaimed  a  young 
aide-de-c«inp,  as  Melville  walked  from  the 
spot  wheie  he  had  parted  with  Nettie  Knox. 

I^e  bieii  looliiiigfor  you  this  half  hour 
Hei  f  1-  a  (  ommuuieatiou  from  the  general," 
anil  tliH  (ifh(  ei   placed  a  sealed  paper  in  Mel- 


I  nice  beaming  with  eager- 
1  111  began  to  tear  it  open 
ontain  t 
li  111  li  ilf  I  \iipi  ti  d  to  see  a 


\\  1 


of  mdigii  itio; 
teed  to  \V  i-.li 
spy  Beam  I 
ageut,  liiit  t 


Dii 


t     i'    \irt  t  "wish  mgY.m  lit 


Nettli 


uaiilil  l-lmuk, 
a   Daie  that.     I 

uth  IS  uppei  most 
your  spj ,  Gen- 

;uo\  b  dream  at 


A^  111  »  ilKiil  nv  ay  his  face  was  pale,  but 
detniiiiu  iliuii  "  IS  Msible  in  his  eyes 

Alie  ia>  he  had  the  appearance  of  a  man 
who  was  lioldlj  raarcliiug  toward  a  tate 
which  he  kuejsr  was  against  him 

"Asp>'"  he  muimuied  "Well,  at  any 
rate,  I  shall  be  neai  Nettie,  and  that  will  be 
some  eousolatiou." 

All  at  once  he  seemed  to  think  of  his  old 
enemy,  Sharpsliooter  DicK.  and  Increasea 
his  gait. 

"Yonder  is  Colonel  Boswell,  now,"  hesaid, 
catching  sight  of  the  ofHcer  in  whose  hands 
he  had  lately  left  the  loyal  mountaineei'.  "  I 
will  have  the  pleasure  of  tellinghim  that  the 
Yankee  will  never  see  the  James." 

"Ho!  hereyouare,  Melville!"  exclaimed 
Boswell,  as  the  young  man  came  up.  "You 
are  a  little  too  late  to  bid  the  Yankee  good- 
by.    He  is  on  the  road  to  Richmond!" 

Melville  started  as  if  a  bomb  had  fallen  at 
his  feet. 


"He  went  off  with  a  lot  of  prisoners,  among 
whom  was  a  young  gill,  whom  Beauregard 
is  sending  to  Richmond  for  some  purpose  or 
other." 

"  The  girl  I  encountered  when  I  went  to 
the  general's  headquarters?"  thought  Mel- 
ville. 


CHAPTER  XIII. 

A    DA.SH      run    I.IBEHTY. 

Beauregard   liail   I'viilpiitly  forgotten    his 

Eromise  tnMHlvilli-toliiok  into  Sharpshooter 
lick's  ease,  and  fieat  him  as  a  spy,  for  he 
had  been  allowed  to  depart  to  Richmond, 
along  with  a  lot  of  prisoners  captured  at 
BuirRuii. 

Before  the  prison  train  was  far  from  the 
starting  point.  Dick  made  a  discovery  that 
startled  him. 

His  attention  had  been  called  by  a  fellow 
prisoner  to  the  fact  that  a  young  girl  was 
among  the  number. 

At  first  he  took  but  little  note  of  this  in- 
formation, but  on  catching  a  glimpse  of  the 
fair  one  his  eyes  dilated,  and  an  expression 
of  amazement  dropped  from  his  lips. 

"By  George!  she  looks  like  Lily!"  ex- 
claimed the  mountaineer.  "  I  must  be  mis- 
taken ;  she  would  notbe  with  us,  when  I  left 
her  only  a  few  hours  ago  in  Alexandria. 
No,  the  girl  is  not  my  Lily ;  yet " 

He  paused  suddenly,  for  at  that  moment 
he  caught  a  fine  view  of  the  young  girl's 
face. 

"Lily,  by  my  life!"  he  cried. 

"  That's  her  name,  is  it  ?"  said  a  guard,  who 
was  near  the  sharpshooter.  "She's  a  beauty, 
and  no  mistake.  I've  lieen  looking  at  her 
ever  sine*  we  left  Manassas ;  thought  her 
name  might  be  Rose,  Lily,  or  something  like 
that.    Know  her,  eh?" 


"Kinder  so,"  responded  Dick,  still  staring 
at  the  girl,  who  as  yet  knew  nothing  of  his 
wherealTOuts. 

"I've  got  a  notion  to  make  love  to  the 
Yankee  girl,"  continued  the  guard.  "  From 
her  look,  I  think  she'd  like  it." 

The  eyes  of  the  sharpshooter  flashed,  and 
he  said,  resentingly,  as  he  glared  at  the 
guard. 

"  You've  got  other  matters  on  your  hands, 
and  1  tliink  you'd  belter  attcml  t..  them." 

"Ho!  ho!  the  Yankee  l,l,,.ss..ni  must  lie 
sometliiiig  to  ymi,  "  w  as  the  eiiai  se  reply. 

oblige  me  if  voii  kee]i  veiir  nioulli  shut  when 
youai-etliinkiii-al.eiil  lalv  lienway." 

By  this  lime  a  mm.her  iiirnioii  ,.iisoners, 
and   se\eral   iruanis,   ailraeied    livtlie   Imiil 


"He's  an  iiisoliMit  Vankei.l"  exclaimed 
one.  "  He's  the  same  eha|i  we  caught  after 
the  battle,  with  ^lav  ilnthes  on.  Of  course 
you'll  keep  your  muulh  shut  since  he  told 
you  to,  Jim." 

These  last  words  were  addressed  to  the 
guard. 

"Here,  Todwell,  hold  my  musket,"  was 
the  guard's  reply,  as  he  handed  his  gun  to 
the  man  who  had  just  spoken.  "  I'll  show 
the  Yankee  whether  I'm  going  to  shut  my 
mouth." 

The  Union  prisoners  showed  a  disposition 
to  assist  Sharpshooter  Diek,  but  his  glance 
told  them  to  keep  out  of  the  fight. 

"I'm  at  your  sarvice!"  he  said,  eying  the 
guard.  "You  have  spoken  lightly  of  Lily 
Donway,  an'  Dick  Griswold  is  lietter  than 
the  best  man  who  does  that." 

This,  of  course,  brought  on  an  engage- 
ment. 

TheC<infeilerate   s]ininL' at  the  mountain- 

Hei-ee! '\  ei'.'il    In  a'm'.'.'i'i'uMri   :'m.i'  i'u  s  I  I'ed'f  oi- 
ward  again,  but  Dick  liet  in  a  seeenil  stroke. 


Th 


spciatc 


.till 


himself  called  upon  tu  contend  with  fnur 
stalwart  Confederates,  who  were  determined 
to  avenge  tneir  comrade's  discomfiture. 

The  train  which  carried  the  prisoners  was 
now  running  through  a  thickly  timbered 
district  at  a  good  rate  of  speed. 

Lily  (vas  in  the  forward  part  of  the  coach, 
and  had  risen  with  frightened  face  at  the 
commencement  of  the  fight. 

She  had  no  idea  that  Dick  was  one  of  the 
main  participants. 

"Throw  them  out!"  "  Pitch  the  Johnnies 
through  the  windows!"  and  kindred  ex- 
pressions, rang  from  the  throats  of  the  Union 
prisoners,  as  tliey  rose  from  the  seats  and 
rushed  toward  the  melee. 

"  Back!  "  cried  the  few  guards,  who  stood 
between  the  excited  soldiers  and  the  com- 
batants, as  thev  cocked  their  muskets. 

The  menace  was  not  heeded. 

Fearless  (it  (heir  lives,  and  exasperated  to 
an  unc.iiiliiillalile  degree,  the  Union  prison- 
ers s])Miii?:  iiiieii  the  niusljets  of  the  guards, 
and   heal  ihem   ih.wn  before  a  finger  could 

It  was  new  a  scene  of  confusion  beyond 
the  iiuweiel  pen  I.,  describe.  The  interior 
of  the  car  was  a  mass  of  surging  humanity. 
The  lilood  of  ihe  bluecoats  was  heated 
to  boiling  point,  and  they  rushed  upon  the 
guards  with  the  ferocity  of  tigers. 

What  had  Ijecome  of  the  sharpshooter  ? 

He  met  the  onset  of  the  four  guards  with 
the  courage  of  a  hero,  and  the  strength  of  an 
Ajax. 


'It's 


ix,  not  yours,   boys!"  he 


that  he  sent  one  guard  reeling  away,  and 
turned  to  ward  off  the  blow  of  another. 

He  was  battling  manfully,  dealing  blows 
that  told,  and  beating  his  assailants  off,  when 
the  rest  of  the  prisoners  in  the  car  rushed 
forward,  as  we  have  just  recorded. 

They  drove  the  guards  back  upon  Dick 
and  his  foes,  and  a  moment  later  everybody 
seemed  to  be  fighting  some  one. 

In  less  time  than  we  can  record  the  fact, 
the  Confederate  guards  were  overpowered, 
although  they  had  resisted  manfully  to  the 
last,  and,  although  prisoners,  the  Unionists 
had  won  a  victory. 

"Uncouple  the  car!"  now  rose  on  every 
side.  • '  G  uard  the  front  door,  and  let  no  more 
guards  enter." 

Men  sprung  away  to  carry  out  both  com- 
mands. 

The  car  happened  to  be  the  last  one  of  the 
traiu.  and  it  was  no  easy  matter  to  uncouple 
it  while  iu   motion.    But  the  excited  Union 


troops  did  not  think  of  this.    Escajje  was 
now  the  niiperniost  thought. 

The  fiuwaiil  door  was  guarded,  until  a 
pait\  leape.l  iiiHin  the  swaying  platform, 
anil  aiteiiipleil  to  separate  the  car  from  the 
train.  A  rope  had  been  looped  over  the 
of  the  next  coach. 


nils  and  lives  in  their 


is  hi 


thcsM 


it  we'll  baffle 


words  were  incentives  to  superhu- 
■rtiiin.  All  that  strength  and  daiing 
11,  was  done.  Those  who  did  not 
clii  their  hreath. 

■Illy  a  wild  yell  of  victory  rose  from 
vii'il;-  iilatfoini. 

"Hurrah!  were  loose!  We're  not  going 
to  Richmond  just  yet !" 

It  was  true,  that  at  the  last  moment  th& 
car  had  been  separated  from  its  companions. 
The  men  could  hardly  believe  the  good 
news. 

"  Diek !  Dick !  now  comes  the  greatest 
peril!"  exclaimed  the  young  girl,  wholooked 
up  into  the  sharpshooter's  face.  "  They  will 
not  give  us  up  without  a  hunt.  They  " 
dog  our  steps  night  and  day  ;  but  we'll  bs 
them  in  the  end!" 

"  Ot  course  we  will,  Lily !"  was  the  reply. 
"  I'd  give  my  right  arm  if  von  warn't  here 
to  share  the  danger  with  me  ;  but  whatever 
comes,  you  can  rely  on  liiek  Criswolil;  you 
can  trust  him,  Lily',  in  thcilaikest  hour." 

The  loss  of  the"  rear  car  which  was  still 
slowly followingthe train,  despite  thetight- 
eningof  brakes,  was  greetetl  with  shouts  of 
joy  by  the  Union  prisoners  ahead,  and  criea- 
of  rage  from  the  guards. 

The  train  was  coming  to  a  standstill,  and  a 
number  of  i 'onfeilerale  soldiers  were  pre- 
paring to  sjiiiiii:  olV  ami  hurry  back  to  the- 
assistanccol   tluir  eomiailes. 

The  road  lor  some  distance  had  been  wind- 
were  not  at  all  inviting;  but  the  heroic  pris- 
oneis  iliil  not  shrink  from  the  cheerless  pros- 

Thcir  car  was  still  moving  when  they  l>e- 
gau   to  desert  it.     Men   seramlileil    from  the- 

The  over]iowereil  guards  had  hecu  disarmed 
and  bound,  and  were  hcliilcss  on  the  tloor  of 
the  car. 

A  general  rush  was  made  for  the  brake  on 
the  right. 

Sharpshooter  Dick  had  leaped  from  one  of 
the  ]ilatfnrnis  with  Lily  in  his  arms,  and  was 


-(;ive   it  to  ihc'Van 

is!  •  shouted  a   loud 

A    Milley    from    tweii 

\-ll\e   muskets  was 

poured   among  the  esc: 
few   fell  at  the   edge 

pin-  prisoners,  and  a 

it    the   copse.     Those 

who  were  not  killed   o 

itright,  were   caught 

up   liy  their  comrades 

mil    lioriie  forward. 

■V  could  lie  deUvered 

ililell  the  Unionists. 

Thecha-riunt    the  ( 

ehar.^cot  the  train  at  t 

dre.l  prisoners  may  lie 

iiiaixineii.     He  dared 

not  follow   them,  lor  h 

■   had    liaiely  guards 

the    escape    of    one   .; 

i-l.iail   might    incite 

others  to  follow  their  c 

sample 

"Never  mind!"    he 

said.      ■■Thev   are  at 

hcv  shall  be  hunted 

down    Milh    Imllcls    ail 

1    lilooilhounds.     By 

who  w  ill  iviii  ill  ihe  outcome." 

Sharpshooier  Dick  and  his  companions 
were  t 'HIS  leli  to  themselves  for  awhile,  not 
because  their  Iocs  were  glad  to  be  rid  of 
them,  lint  heeaiise  they  couldnot  spare  force 
enough  to  pursue. 

"We've  got  to  have  a  leader,"  said  one  of 
the  victorious  prisoners,  when  the  band 
came  togelher  in  the  brake  a  few  hundred 
yards  from  the  railroad.  "  I  move  that 
Sharpshooter  Dick  act  In  that  capacity.  If 
it  had  not  been  for  him,  we  might  still  be 
on  the  road  to  Richmond ;  as  it  is,  we  are 
free!" 

Despite  the  sharpshooter's  protests  the 
motion  was  put,  and  unanimously  carried. 

"  I'll  do  what  I  can,  men,"  said  the  mount- 
aineer. "I'm  no  soldier;  but  I  know  a 
brake  about  as  well  as  a  deer." 

The  guns  which  had  been  taken  from  the 
guards  on   the   train,  ten  in   number,  the 


It  was  a  small  armament;  but  they  were 
lucky  to  possess  that  much. 

"We  shan't  be  unmolested  long,  Lily," 
said  Sharpshooter  Dick,  as  he  looked  down 
into  the  lair  girl's  lace  several  hours  alter 


THE  WA.R  LIBRARY. 


the  escape.  "  If  you  nadn't  been  on  the 
train,  I  would  have  let  'em  carry  roe  on  to 
Richmond :  but  when  I  saw  you,  I  made  up 
my  mind  that  you  had  no  business  thar,  an' 
I  was  eager  to  get  some  kind  of  a  melee 
started.  The  boys  all  know  that  you're  the 
cause  of  the  difficulty  that  got  'em  loose; 
an'  they're  ready  to  stand  by  you  to  the 
death." 

A  minute  later  a  young  man  approached 
the  couple,  and  beckoned  the  sharpshooter 
asi<Ie. 

••  Captain,"  he  said,  "  we  must  be  near  old 
Blood's.  One  of  the  boys  says  he  saw  a  big 
bloodhound  down  at  the  creek." 

Sharpshooter  Dick  did  not  start. 

He  nieiely  went  back  to  Lily  ;  and,  hav- 
ing told  her  that  he  was  wanted  elsewhere, 
reioiued  the  soldier  and  disappeared. 

"  Of  course  we're  near  Blood's,  "  he  said,  in 
alow  tone  to  the  soldier;  "I  knew  it  all 
along.  I  was  hastening  to  get  beyond  it. 
Don't  let  the  fellow  that  saw  the  hound 
alarm  the  boys.  Go  and  attend  to  him.  I'll 
see  about  the  dog." 

Sharpshooter  Dick  hurried  away,  and  did 
not  pause  uutil  he  reached  the  bank  of  a 
sluggish  little  stream  which  meandered 
through  the  Drake  in  a  southerly  direc- 
tion. 

Carefully  screening  his  body  by  a  tree,  he 
cast  his  eyes  up  and  down  the  creek  in 
search  of  the  animal  which  had  been  re- 
ported seen. 

After  all,  the  fugitive  soldier  might  have 
been  mistaken. 

All  at  once  the  sharpshooter  caught  sight 
of  a  human  figure  gliding,  assassin-like, 
through  the  brushwood  across  the  creek. 
The  man  was  bareheaded  and  almost  naked, 
and  the  mountaineer  could  see  the  yellow- 
ish skin  of  the  mulatto. 

He  saw  more  than  this. 

Some  kind  of  animal  was  skulking  on 
either  side  of  the  man,  and  Sharpshooter 
Dick  held  his  breath  while  he  waited  for 
the  mulatto  to  reach  an  open  spot  to- 
ward which  he  seemed  to  be  bending  his 
steps. 

At  last  the  skulker  reached  the  place,  and 
then  Sliuipsh. Xitel-  Dick  saw  that  he  held 
the  (■cl^al.■^  .if  two  iinmense  bloodhounds, 
whose  (1 H 1 1 1 1 .  11:1  II.  I  s  «ere  the  most  ferocious 

"They  re  iiluod's  dogs!"  said  the  sharp- 
shooter to  himself.  "  It  may  be  a  good 
thing  that  the  Johnnies  took  Killtauck 
from  me.  The  old  fellers  always  did  hate 
dogs  of  that  sort." 

From  his  hiding-place  Dick  could  seethe 
eagerness  of  the  hounds  to  leave  the  mul- 
atto ;  but,  as  he  was  a  giant,  and  possessed 
strength  equal  to  tlieirs,  he  held  them 
back. 

"I  can't  think  of  such  demons  chasing 
Lily,"  grated  Dick.  "By  Heavens!  they 
never  shall !" 

He  did  not  know  what  was  uear  at  hand. 


CHAPTER  XIV. 


DICK  AND  THE 

The  train  which  carried  Dick  and  his  com- 
panions from  Manassas  did  not  leave  ou 
time,  hence  the  day  was  well  advanced  when 
the  escape  occurred. 

As  several  hours  had  elapsed  since  the  pen- 
etration of  the  swiunpy  brake  by  the  fugi- 
tives and  Dick's  Slight  of  the  mulatto  and  his 
bloodhoumls,  iiiuht  was  ready  to  swoop  down 
upon  the  w  01 1.1  a^^aiii. 

The  sliai'ii^hdctpi- was  loath  to  go  back  to 
his  comrades  while  the  dogs  were  in  the  vi- 
cinity. 

They  might  be  ou  their  track  already,  for 
their  owuer  was  well  known  to  the  soldiers 
of  the  Confederate  ariny,  luul  they  would 
not  hesitate  to  call  . .11  liiiii  f.u- help  at  a  time 
like  thepreseiil. 

Sharpshooter  in.  k  ku.u  ■oia  Blood,"  as 
the  owner  of  til.' . I. i-^  \\as  .ailed. 

Eveiyb.i.ly,'l-..kn.u-  him. 

For  v.ars  Ills  k.-imi'ls  had  furnished  the 
most  1.M.M  i.ius  ii.;/i<i-hunting  bloodhounds 
that  tli..S..ulli  ji..>^.ssed. 

His  weie  dugs  that  never  left  a  trail  until 
th«  poor  fugitive  slave  was  hunted  down, 
and  lay  powerless  at  the  mercy  of  their 
fangs. 

They  were  dogs  that  plunged  through  bogs, 
climbed  mountains  and  swam  rivers,  yet 
never  lost  a  trail. 

The  ferocity  of  their  breeder  seemed  in 
their  blood,  and  there  were  men  in  Virginia 
— poor,  uneducated  men,  it  is  true — who  be- 
lieved that  Colonel  Blood  was  part  blood- 
hound himself. 

He  was  one  of  the  men  who  looked  upon 
the  war  with  no  joy  because  it  seemed  likely 

»„:.,...„« „i.i,    .,:„ ■ ,[    i-aisiug 


to  interfere  with  his  trade 


bloodhounds  for  the  planters  of  the  further 
South. 

He  was  no  partisan  ;  he  took  no  stock  in 
politics ;  he  thought  of  nothing  but  the  breed- 
ing of  bloodhounds. 

Hi-  had  stait.'.l  his  kennels  in  Georgia,  but 
thiev.'s,  wh.i  hail  no  fear  of  death,  stole  his 

the  tlii'.'atoui-ii' remnant  of  his  stock,  he 
"pulled  up  stakes,"  as  he  was  wont  to  say, 
and  emigrated  to  Virginia,  where,  almost  m 
the  shadow  of  the  United  States  Capitol,  he 
began  business  anew. 

Imagine  on  ot.l  man,  with  white_hair  and 
aclose-croiiiii'il,  fjTi  izzleil  mustache  under  a 
hawk's  nose,  uiili  rli-ar,  eagle-like  eyes,  a 
little stoopc.l  ill  statiin-,  luitstill  six  feet  in 
his  stockiiiiis,  lawny  of  skiu,  like  a  mummy, 
and  as  prolan.,  as  a  Fliiiiisli  trooper,  ami  you 
may  form  ;i  iniini-iiiituii-  of  ( 'ulnin  1  Bloo.l  ; 
colonel  by  i-.mii  l.^-y,  f.n-  In-  iirvi'i-  ha.l  a  re^'- 
iment,  altliou-li  h.'  knew  how  to  feiu/e  with 
the  ponderous  sword  that  hung  in  his   bed- 

His  favorite  boast,  next  to  his  dogs,  was  his 
descent  from  the  infamous  Blood,  who  once 
stole  the  regalia  of  England,  and  he 
kept  framed  in  his  house  a  coarse  print  of 
that  monster. 

He  had  numerous  slaves,  chiefly  mulattos, 
men  whose  duties  were  to  care  more  for  the 
dogs  than  for  the  estate. 

He  had  never  iiuinii-.l,  for  he  used  to  say 
that  his  rto;;s  \\. mill  ki-.|i  alive  throughout 
the  South  till'  nam.'  ..f  lilood,  by  spilling  the 
blood  of  all  Mli.ini  I  lii-v  hunted. 

Such  was  til. .  chaiiieter  of  old   Blood,  the 
man  whom  Sharp?hooter  Dick  knew  by  rep- 
He  sciiloin  kept  less  than  fifty  full-grown 
bl<MMlhonii.ls  on  his  estate. 

Ilc\\a>  ii.iiviantly  .<..Uiii;i-  ilo^rs,  and  with 
evc)\-  one  \\  .'Ml  a  pr.wiii>.'  thai  I  Ic  jiurchaser 
slinnl.l  M-nii   liiiii    an    an.inal    i.  port  of  how 


was  enough  (..  iiai..  ihc  .■In.V  d  ;  Ic  liiavcsf. 

gave  utterance  to  tin-  ivcr.is  mat  i-\,,~,-  ili.. 
preceding  chapter  when  h.'  (lioiii-'lit  ot  tiic 
monsters  chasing  Lily,  the  brave  little  wom- 
an for  whom  he  stood  ready  to  saerittce  his 
life! 

The  mountaineer  could  not  remove  his 
gaze  from  the  bloodhounds  and  their  keep- 
er, whose  countenance  was  not  less  ferocious 
than  theirs. 

The  spell  was  not  broken  until  the  mulatto 
led  the  animals  away. 

Dick  thought  of  the  anxious  little  party 
behind  him. 

The  shadows  of  night  were  descending 
upon  the  halting-place  they  had  made  in  the 
brake. 

He  knew  that  not  a  few  had  seen  him  de- 
part, and  his  absence  might  spread  uneasi- 
ness throughout  the  camp. 

Instead  of  going  back  to  warn  all,  that  old 
Blood's  four-footed  trackers  were  abroad, 
after  the  dogs  and  their  keeper  had  disap- 
peared, he  sprung  across  the  little  stream 
and  followed  them. 

His  only  weapons  were  a  long-sheathed 
knife,  and'  a  revolver  taken  from  one  of  the 


ids  ( 


He 


I'll    the  aliseiice  of  the  trusty 

Hull ;   but  regrets   would  not 
i  hands,  and  he  had  to  content 
what  he  had. 
il  the   mulatto  and  the  dogs  as 

ni  a  good  chase,  but  it  ended  at 
lonnd  himself  iu  therearof  a 
!>.'   Hanked  by  small  buildings, 
ai  pshootertook  for  kennels. 
■n,-[   Blond's  home. 
til..    Well-known   baying   of   a 

a aei.i>.M  the  country  beyond 

111.1    111.'  riii.iiiist   instinctively 


he  goes   again !      Go 


I'll  make    a    railroad   map    of    that    boy's 

'■Till'  111.  I  Inntehimself  !"  muttered  Sharp- 
shootei  111.  k.  '  Whattrail  is  it  that  doesn't 
lead  111  llie  ilircifion  he  referred  to — what 
trail  but  ours'/  Old  Blood  has  heard  of  our 
escape !    The  rebels  have  sent  a  messenger  to 


For  a  time  silence  settled  down  over  the 
darkened  landscape,  and  Blood  had  settled 
back  to  his  pipe ;  then  off  went  the  blood- 
hound again,  but  louder  and  clearer  than 
before,  which  told  that  he  was  approaching 
the  house. 

"I'll  do  the  lashing  myself!"  roared  the 
unseen  man,  who  was  in  transports  of  rage. 
"I  wish  I  had  some  one  here  to  see  how  I 
can  lay  on  the  eat  when  I  get  my  blood 
heated,  but  just  now  I'm  the  only  person  in 
the  house." 

"The  only  person  in  the  house  !" 

The  last  sentence  started  Sharpshooter 
Dick  forward. 

He  sprang  over  the  stone  fence  behind 
which  he  had  crouched,  and  almost  ran 
toward  the  house. 

■■Ali.ild  stroke  may  decide  the  fate  of 
all!"  h.-  sai.l,  under  "his  breath.  "  I  don't 
care  a  snap  of  my  tiiiiier  for  the  Conteds; 
lint  it  chills  inv  blond  to  think  of  those  ter- 
rible dogs  chasing  Lily  :" 

He  was  rapidly  ii.ai  in;r  tli.'  house,  in  front 
of  which  ran  a  lonu'  p.n  eh,  when  the  crack 
of  a  match  siinil.-  lii>  cai~,  and  the  little 
blaze  that  flared  up  tor  a  nioinent  revealed 
the  figure  of  old  Blood  himself. 

"  Come  here,  Ajax ! ' ' 

Dick  stoppped  at  the  summons. 

He  was  not  twenty  steps  from  the  owner 
of  the  kennel. 

The  match,  which  could  not  last  long,  was 


The  next  moment  a  large  bloodhound 
bounded  from  the  house  and  alighted  at 
Blood's  feet. 

The  sharpshooter  almost  involuntarily  re- 
coiled. 

"Go  out  yonder  and  w.atch  Crump,"  com- 
manded Blood,  as  he  poinled  toward  Dick. 
"Don't  let  the  111^-.  r:;.'l  a^va^.     Go,  sir." 

The  dog  leap.'.  1  ii.'iii  ih.'  ii.ircli,  Init  the 
ne.xt  second  li.'  ^ini.K  ili.'  ground  with  a 
low,   savage  gioul,   and    nxed   his  glareful 

'  It  wast. 10  late  to  retreat,  and^harpshoot«r 
I  ti.'k  ill  .■\v  Ills  knife. 

"Hnllo!  somebody  out  there,  eh?"  ex- 
claimed Blood,  leaning  forward  as  he  threw 
down  the  burned  match  and  prepared  to 
strike  another. 

"If  he  don't  belong  to  the  kennel,  Ajax, 
give  him  the  benefit  of  your  teeth.  At  him, 
dog!" 

'The  loyal  sharpshooter  had  time  to  brace 
himself  for  the  assault  which  he  knew  was 
about  to  be  made. 

All  at  once  the  huge  animal  left  the 
ground  and  came  through  the  air  like  a 
springing  panther. 

Dick  saw  the  ferocious  eyes,  the  distended 
jaws,  the  great  body— enough  of  its  own 
weight  to  crush  him. 

It  was  night,  but  the  stars  showed  the 
sharpshooter  almost  all  that  he  wanted  to 
see. 

He  knew  where  to  hold  his  left  hand  to 
get  a  grip  on  the  dog's  throat,  and  as  his 
fingers  tightened  there,  his  right  hand  swept 
round,  and  he  struck  for  life  with  the  knife. 

A  short,  sharp  gasp  followed  the  blow. 
If  the  hour  had  been  noon,  with  a  brilliant 
sun  overhead,  he  could  not  have  delivered  a 
deadlier  blow. 

He  felt  the  death-rattle  of  the  terrible 
beast  struggling  to  escape  from  the  throat  he 
clutched,  and  as  he  witlnliew  liis  knife  and 
loosened  his  grip,  the  doi;  fell  lia.  k  dead. 

"Who's  out  then-,  Ajax;-'  said  a  voice 
from  the  porch  at  tliismomcnt. 

Dick  bounded  over  the  bleeding  carcass  of 
the  big  bloodhound,  and  alighted  before  the 
heartless  man  with  the  answer : 

"It's  me— Dick  Griswold!" 

Colonel  Blood  staggered  back  with  a  gasp 
of  horror. 

"  Open  your  mouth  to  call  dog  or  slave, 
and  I'll  give  you  the  knife  that  finished 
Ajax,  as  vou  call  'im!"  continued  Sharp- 
the 


liis  left  hand  fell  against  t 
uhl  man  s  throat. 

■■  .Vjax,  my  big  king,  dead  ?" 

'■  If  he  kin  survive  ten  inches  of  cold  steel 
he'll  live;  if  he  can  t  digest  the  dose,  kernul, 
I  guess  his  goose  is  cooked." 

''What  made  you  do  it?" 

"The  dog  died.  By  Jove!  kernul,  if  all 
yer  animals  are  like  that  one,  I  want  my  ac- 
quaintance with  your  family  to  end  right 
here.  I've  beam  a  good  deal  about  you; 
they  tell  many  a  tale  on  you  in  the  darky 
cabins  along  the  James,  an'  the  huts  in 
Georgia.  The  charcoals  don't  like  you  any 
more  than  they  do  yer  dogs.  I  never  heard 
any  man  say  that  you'd  lie,  nor  that  you 
ever  broke  yer  word." 

"  That's  so,  sir !  The  word  of  Hugo  Blood 
is  as  good  as  the  truth  of  his  bloodhounds." 


THE  WAR  LIBRARY 


15 


"You  liiii^l  s\m:i)  flKit  not  one  of  your 
dogs  shall  limit  llir  I'liiou  soldiers  who  gave 
the  Johnnies  tlie  slip  on  theraih-oad  to-day." 

Colonel  Blood  uttered  an  exclamation  of 
amazement. 

"You  know  sornetbinK  about  that  little 
affair,  I  see,"  said  .^liarpshooter  Dick,  "  Ker- 
nul,  th    ■        ■        • 


they 


the  (  onfeils  have  engaged  you  to  keep 
blnecoals  ii!i,  ked  with  your  dogs  till 
are  i  caily  in  close  in  on 'em.  Don't  say 
no,  for  vow  never  lie.  I'm  here  on  business. 
I  want  yer  oath.  Swear  to  call  off  yer  dogs 
an'  j-er  slaves— yer  yellow  boys — swear  that 
you  will  not  hunt  the  blueeoats " 

"Hold  on!"  interrupted  Blood.  "You 
don't  know  who  you're  talking  to." 

"If  I  didn't  I  wouldn't  bold  this  ten  inch 
blade  at  your  heart,"  exclaimed  the  sharp- 
shooter. "The  blood  of  Ajax  hasn't  dried 
on  it  yet,  keruul.  If  you  want  yours  to 
mingle  with  it,  all  you  have  to  do  is  to  refuse 
to  swear.  I'm  here  in  the  interest  of  a  hun- 
dred defenders  of  the  old  Uag.  Swear  an' 
live  to  see  more  inan-hnntin'  dogs;  refuse 
an'  never  raise  another  whelp!" 

The  choice  was  plaiu.  The  menace  of  the 
sharpshooter's  last  sentence  was  not  to  be 
mistaken. 

"Quick  !'  he  cried,  a  moment  later.  "I'll 
give  you  a  minute,  kernul." 

The  ne.xt  instant  a  man's  voice  was  heard 
behind  the  mountains,  and  then  a  dog  almost 
as  large  as  Aja.x  landed  on  the  porch. 

"Swear!"  hissed  Dick. 

"  I  swear." 

The  sharpshooter  pushed  Colonel  Blood 
away,  lowered  the  knife,  and  drew  his  re- 
volver. 

"Now,  kernul,"  hesaid,  eocking  the  weap- 
on, begin  liy  keeiiing  your  oath  here.  Call 
off  yer  dogs,  or  lose  that  one's  brains." 

The  bloodhound  had  already  crouched. 

Sharpshooter  Dick  was  in  danger  again. 

CHAPTER   XV. 

THE  FUGITIVES  IN  THE  BRAKE. 

Having  lost  one  valuable  dog  at  the  hands 
of  the  determined  Unionist,  Colonel  Blood 
was  resolved  that  another  should  not  meet  a 
like  fate. 

With  Dick's  last  words  ringing  in  his  ears, 
he  sprung  at  the  eroiiehiiig  animal,  seized 
him  by  the  collar  and  then  lia.k  of  the  neck, 
and  threw  him  from  the  poreh. 

"That's  business,  kernul,"  said  the  sharp- 
shooter. "  I  really  believe  yer  goiu'  to  keep 
yer  oath." 

"1  shall;  but  I  shall  not  be  answerable  for 
the  action  of  my  hands." 

"They'd  better  keep  away  from  us.     Yi 


must  keep  yer  dogs  off,  however.  J^f  we  are 

ed  by  a  single 
wold  will  be  heard  from.    Good-night.' 


tracked  by  a  single  one,   kernul,   Dick  Gris- 


Before  Blood  could  leply,  if  answer 
to  make,  the  sharpshooter  bounded  from  the 
porch. 

As  he  turned  to  leave  the  house  behind, 
he  saw  the  shadowy  outlines  of  a  man  and 
two  dogs.  The  former  was  restraining  the 
latter  )^y  a  grip  ou  the  e(. liars. 

Dick  did  not  tarry,  Imt  ran  to  the  stone 
wall,  cleareil  it  "  itii  a  bound,  and  was  soou 
tlying  toward  his  eomrades. 

llegailied  Ihe  dark  I  eeesses  of  the  brake, 
and  was  Ihere  halted  by  a  man  whose  voice 


seeu  along  the  eieek.  and  this  had  struck 
terroi-  to  the  heaits  of  the  timid. 

Those  who  did  not  know  that  they  were 
near  Colonel  Blood's  kennels,  bad  been  en- 
lightened by  their  more  knowing  comrades, 
and  the  sharpshooter,  then  tore,  loiindihe 
camp  in  a  state  ot  .^\l■itl•Illl.lll  «-|ii.ii  tho 
cooler  heads  had  attempted  to  .-uiipresv. 

"You  needn't  tear  thi'  dous,  hoys,'  said 
Sharpshooter  Dick,  glancing  around  upou 
the  ghostly  figures  that  surrounded  him,  for 
no  fires  were  allowed  to  be  lighted.  "We 
must  be  on  the  look  out  for  the  Confeds, 
though." 

"No  dogs!  thank  Heaven!"  went  up  on 
every  side,  for  the  bloodhound  always  sends 
a  chill  to  the  heart  of  the  fugitive,  black  or 
white. 

Not  a  few  of  the  sscaping  Unionists  were 
men  who  had  traveled  South,  and  knew 
what  old  Blood's  dogs  had  done  there. 
Some  had  seen  the  mangled  victims  carried 
from  the  teeth  of  the  monsters  to  linger 
awhile,  and  then  expire  in  all  the  agonies  of 
a  horrible  death. 


As  the  sharpshooter  had  returned,  it  was 
resolved  to  resume  the  flight. 

The  pickets  were  accordingly  called  in, 
and,  with  Dick  at  their  head,  the  fugitives  in 
blue  started  forward  again. 

There  were  inads  through  the  brake  made 
by  hogs  and  lost  ,:ittle.  and  down  one  of 
these  the  littl«  hand  pursued  its  way. 

Sharpshooter  IJick  held  in  his  rough  palm 
the  soft  hand  of  Lily  Donway  as  he  pressed 
on. 

Every  now  and  then  the  pair  exchanged 
words  in  low  whispers,  and  more  than  once 
the  lips  of  the  heroic  sharpshooter  touched 
the  gii  I's  forehead. 

Not  a  word  was  spoken  aloud  by  any  one. 
All  felt  their  situation,  and  realized  the  im- 
l)ortance  of  silence. 

When  and  where  the  brake  would  end  no 
one  knew.  They  might  suddenly  emerge 
from  it  to  find  a  regiment  of  Confederates 
ready  to  receive  them  with  leveled  muskets, 
or  they  might  reach  the  end  to  find  them- 
selves comparatively  safe  from  all  danger  of 
recapture. 

The  latter  consummation  was  the  one  de- 
voutly wished  for. 

Daylight  was  not  far  uistant,  when  a  word 
from  the  sharpshooter  halted   the  fugitives 

,,Tir,_i,         .„,  -,   i.  ,.p  ^^  jjp^  ^^ 

from    their 


:  of  th^ 


soldieis    stood     still. 

stopped   somewhar  ahead.     Uey    may  hav' 

heard  us  talkin'  as  we  crept  aloug." 

"Followed!"  grated  one  of  the  Unionists, 
a  stalwart  fellow,  as  he  clutched  the  arm  ot 
the  listening  sharpshooter.  "  1  think  I 
know  where  that  voice  comes  from.  Letme 
go  dowu  yonder,  and  blow  the  black  spy's 
'—■'-■  out." 


■No 


ti  tuc  spy 
Ike  fre  i; 
•eseuTly." 


said    Sharpshooter    Dick,  firmly. 
'       settled  I'll  do  it  myself. 


arpshooter  jiressed  Lily's  hand  as  lie 

Al'l  iM.iieved  that  a  crisis  of  some  kind  was 

at  hail. I.     The   v.m f   the    unseen    negro 

told  them  that  their  identity  was  known. 

IVlight  the  ci-ouehing  darkles  not  belong  to 
Colouel  Blood,  who  was  going  to  keep  his 
forced  vow  as  far  as  his  bloodhounds  were 
concerned  'i' 

Sharpshooter  Dick  must  have  thought  of 
this  while  he  stood  near  a  tall,  slim  tree, 
knife  in  hand,  \\  hilc  his  comrades  were  plod- 
ding on,  listeiiiiii;,  as  he  knew  they  Were,  for 


repo 


mutes  the  daring  Unionists 
neaiii  noiiiing. 

"  liar,  dcy'r  goin'  on  ag'in,"  suddenly  said 
avoici-.  "Now  let  us  go  ahead  au' catch 
'em,  Jupe.  Dcy'U  run  into  de  hornet's  nest 
if  we  let  'em  plod  on  much  longer  an',  bress 
de  Lord  !  we  doesn't  want  Massa  Linkum's 
chillen  to  git  caught  ag'in." 

How  suddenly  the  sharpshooter's  heart 
slipped  up  iuto  his  throat! 

He  started  forward  with  an  answering 
cry  ou  his  lips,  but  he  kept  it  back  for  fear 
that  his  ears  had  deceived  him. 

"  Come  ou,  Jupe,"  resumed  the  same  thick 
voice,  of  the  full-blooded  Virginia  darky. 
"  We  must  hurry  up,  fur  de  graycoats  can't 
be  far  ahead." 

At  that  moment  Sharpshooter  Dick  heard 
the  sTi.iiipiiig  ot  a   twig,  and  imagined   that 


"  For  hebeu's  sake,  Jupe,  did  yer  heah 
dat '/' '  was  the  exclamation  that  struck  Dick's 
ears.    "  Who   am  dat   talkin'   in   de   dark- 


■■l;ic...s  hchi-ii :"  was  theresponse.  "We're 
Uncle  Sams  friends,  too." 

The  ne-xt  moment  Dick  found  himself  face 
to  face  with  two  giaut  negroes. 

"  Stop  de  company  dat's  eoin'  ahead,  mas- 
sa!"  said  oue,  seizing  the  sharpshooter's  arm. 
"  De  graycoats  know  dat  ye'r  in  dis  yer 
brake,  an'  dey'r  waitin'  fo'  ye  all  a  little 
piece  ahead,  wliaritends.  Cail  de  boys  back 
now." 

"Come  with  me,  and  I  will,"  said  Dick,  and 
springing  away,  he  soou  halted  the  fugitives 
who  crowded  lound  the  darkies. 

At  no  period  of  the  great  civil  war  was  the 
colored  man  disloyal.  Although  a  slave,  he 
remained  true  to  the  flag  which  permitted 
him  to  serve  in  chains,  and  breath  beneath 


its  very  folds  the  atmosphere  of  oppression. 
His  heart  was  attached  to  the  stars  and 
stripes,  because  to  him  it  was  the  symbol  of 


rust  where  man  in  North  America  would 
wear  them  nevermore. 

In  the  slave,  the  Union  soldiers,  fleeing  from 
prison,  alwajs  found  a  true  friend,  a  safe 
guide,  and  a  gallant  helper. 

The  black  man  betrayed  no  trust,  for 
treachery  was  not  a  part  of  his  natui'e,  and 
he  would  die  sooner  than  lietray  to  the 
enemy  the  hiding-place  of  a  single  fugitive 
in  blue. 

Sharpshooter  Dick  trusted  black  Jupe  and 
his  companion  from  the  start. 

"So  we  are  walkin'intoa  trap ?"  he  said, 
to  the  daikies. 

"Fo'  de  Lord  ye  ar',"  was  the  reply. 
"  You  see,  when  you  men  git  away  from  de 
keers,  de  graycoat  officers  send  men  all  ober 
all  Virginia,  tellin'  all  der  friends  dat 
you'se  git  away.  Oue  graycoat  start  across 
de  woods  toward  Beauregard,  an'  anuther 
him  go  t'other  way.  De  hull  kentry  am 
roused.   Massa  Blood  got  all  hisdogs  out " 

"What's  that?"  exclaimed  Dick.  "Can  it 
be  that  old  Blood  has  disregarded  his 
oath." 

"  Bress  you,  no,  massa.  Him  keep  oath  if 
him  take  rum.  Yaller  Gump,  de  nigger 
what  keep  de  dogs,  him  steal  a  march  on  ole 
Blo<id,  for  de  keruul  go  to  sleep,  an'  Gump 
steal  de  dogs  away,  so  dat  Massa  Blood  neber 
know  aliout  it." 

The  sharpshooter  was  silent  for  a  brief 
time. 

"  Never  mind.  I  may  have  a  chance  to 
pay  Colonel  Blood  for  that  iiap  one  of  these 
days.     Now,  Jiijie,  who's  ahead  of  us'i"' 

"Major  Templet. .11  an'  his  men." 

Lily  starti'il  at  iiii-iili.ni  .)f  the  name. 

Major  'r.'iii].lit.iii  uas  the  gallant  young 
nffii-er  Avh.i  had  tn>ated  her  so  courteously 
all.'i-   sli.'   liail   fallen   into  his  hands  on  the 


llii 


Ike? 


asked  Dick,  < 


stl 


-  tree  an'  gully,  cap'n,"  was' 
"Jupe  an'  me  hunt  possum 
iiue.  De  major  an'  his  men 
■ad — not  mo'   dan   two  huu- 


So  near !  The  Unionists  instinctively  re- 
coiled. 

They  were  then  nearer  the  termination  of 
the  brake  thau  they  had  imagined  them- 
selves to  be.  and  the  meeting  with  the  dark- 


Morning 
where  th.'  e: 
they  were  a 
They  could  i 
than    that 


thi 


^akiug  on  their  right 
rizon  lay,  and  already 
^sorne  distam-e  ahead. 
the  brake  was  thinner 
ough    which    thev  had 


d  their  breath  while  they  listened,  and 
now  to  move  on  again  with  almost  throbless 
hearts. 

It  had  been  a  night  of  terrors,  impossible 
to  describle,  and  now  the  day  was  coming 
again  to  confront  them  with  a  danger  from 
which  there  really  seemei  little  chance  ot 
escape. 

No  time  was  to  be  lost. 

If  Major  Templeton  and  his  men  were  in 
their  front  they  had  to  be  avoided  at  once, 
for  the  Confederates  might  advance  into  the 
thicket,  and  come  suddenly  upon  them. 

Sharpshooter  Dick  looked  forward  with 
flashing  eyes. 

He  looked  like  a  desperate  man  brought  to 
bay. 

"  If  the  boys  were  armed,  I  would  ask 
nothing  more,"  he  said,  in  iuaudible  tones. 
"I  would  be  satisfied  if  I  only  possessed 
Killbnck,  the  old  gun  that  never  failed  to 
strike  center.  Here  we  are,  with  ten  men 
armed  and  a  rebel  regiment  iu  our  front. 
Jupe,  guide  the  boys  back  to  one  of  the 
gullies  you  have  just  mentioned  an'  then 
come  to  me." 

The  Union  soldiers  put  themselves  under 
the  guidance  of  the  black,  and  Sharpshooter 
Dick  and  the  second  negro,  a  veritable  giant 
in  ebony,  named  Cndjo,  remaiued  where 
the  fugitives  had  made  the  last  halt, 

"  Remember  that  Major  Templeton  treat- 
ed me  like  a  gentleman  should  treat  a  lady," 
were  Lily's  last  words  to  Dick  as  they  sep- 
arated. "  Whatever  happens,  do  not  let 
harm  come  to  him." 

And  Dick  had  promised,  although  he  knew 
that  the  Confederate  major  was  an  enemy 
who  would  leave  no  stone  unturned  to  re- 
capture all  the  fugitives  and  send  them  un- 
der a  double  guard  to  Richmond. 

Scarcely  had  the  hard  pressed  little  com- 
pany disappeared  under   Jupe's   guidance. 


16 


THE  WaH  library. 


when  the  sharpshooter  and  Cudjo  crept  for- 
ward. 

Dick  was  anxious  to  observe  the  exact 
position  of  the  Confederates  ahead,  and  to 
note  their  numbers. 

Cudgo  led  him  forward. 

"Hark!  cap'n!"  suddenly  exclaimed  the 
negro.  "Open  yer  eyes  an'  look  forward. 
De  graycoats  am  advancin'." 

The  darky's  words  were  not  needed  to  con- 
vince the  sharpshooter  of  the  existing  state 
ot  affairs. 

He  knew  that  a  large  body  ol  men  was 
advancing  through  the  brake,  bearing  down 
upon  the  band  of  Unionists  with  the  cer- 
tainty of  doom. 

"  \Vy  can't  wait  any  longer  for  Wambold's 
signal,"  said  a  voice  so  loud  and  clear  that 
Dick  involuntarily  looked  to  the  right.  "  I'll 
take  the  resiicnisibilitvcif  advancing  without 
it.    Ha!  thvvr  it  is  now." 

At  that  moint'iit  the  distinct  reports  of 
three  muski»ts  llu;\ted  from  the  rear. 

"  De  fact  am,  cap'n,  dat  we'se  between 
two  gray  coat  armies,"  said  Cudgo,  looking 
into  the  sharpshooter's  face. 

Dick  did  not  speak. 

Between  two  Jires? 

The  last  hope  of  escape  seemed  to  have 
vanished,  and  the  mouutaineer glared  madly 
at  the  regiment  in  his  front  and  turned  to- 
ward his  eompaninus. 

"  Oh, for  Killbuck.'an'  fifty  good  muskets !" 
he  exclaimed.  "  We'd  show  these  rebels 
what  metal  the  Northern  soldiers  are  made 
of." 

The  next  instant  another  sound  more 
thrilling  than  the  three  musket  shots  fell  on 
his  ears. 

It  was  the  deep  baying  of  a  bloodhound. 

Cudgo  started,  and  stretched  out  his  sable 
arm. 

"See,  cap'n!"  he  said.  "  Ole  Cudjo  au' 
de  dogs  hab  met." 

The  negro  showed  his  teeth  as  he  grinned, 
but  Sharpshooter  Dick  uttered  an  exclama- 
tion of  horroi-,  for  from  shoulder  to  elbow 
on  the  extended  arm  was  a  ghastly  and 
scarcely  healed  wound,  inflicted  by  the 
teeth  of  a  bloodhound. 

"  De  ole  kernul's  dogs  did  it,  cap'n,"  said 
L  Cudgo ;  "  but  dey  forgot  to  kill  dis  darky,  all 
|de  same." 


CHAPTER  XVI. 

THE  BATTLE  IN  THE  GUliLT. 

We  need  not  mention  that  the  sharpshooter 
and  his  sable  companion  found  the  fugitives 
whom  Jupe  had  conducted  to  a  gully  in  a 
state  of  great  excitement. 

A  number,  teri'ifled  by  their  situation, 
"Were  for  surreudering  themselves  to  the  first 
graycoats  that  came  in  sight,  whilst  others 
were  ready  to  resist  to  the  bitter  end. 

If  the  whole  party  had  been  well  armed,  a 
stubborn  light  could  have  been  made,  for  the 
gully  was  quite  deep  and  lyell  timbered. 

It  ran  from  east  to  west,  while  the  rebels 
were  closing  in  upon  them  from  the  other 
two  points  of  the  comj)ass. 

The  banks  of  the  ravine  would  serve  as  ex- 
cellent breastworks,  and  the  Unionists,  if 
well  armed  and  supplied  with  ammunition, 
might  have  been  able  to  have  defeated  a 
large  force  of  the  enemy. 

The  first  jjerson  to  meet  Dick  after  his  ar- 
rival at  the  gully  was  Lily. 

Hh  s:iw  from  the  girl's  look  that  something 
of  imii.ii  t;iiiic  hiid  happened,  and  she  has- 
teiii'il  to  :i!  i|iiaiiit  him  with  the  division  in 
theravk-  i<t  t\u-  fugitives. 

Haviu;,'  lii-anl  the  girl's  information,  the 
sharpshooter  turned  to  the  men. 

"  We're  betweeu  two  forces  of  the  enemy, 
boys,"  he  said.  "I  won't  disguise  the  fact 
that  bloodhounds  seem  very  near.  We  are 
poorly  armed,  not  ^snough  muskets  among 
us  to  properly  arm  a  corporal's  squad.  Rich- 
raoud  lies  before  us,  for  surrender  means 
Richmoud;  resistance  may  mean  the  free 
North,  au'  more  service  for  the  old  flag.  As 
for  Dick  Griswold,  he  votes  for  anything  but 
surrender." 

A  number  of  the  soldiers  applauded  the 
mountaineer,  but  not  a  few  frowned  and 
eyed  him  with  no  nleasure. 

"  Let  all  who  will  struggle  on  for  freedom 
advance  twenty  steps  down  the  gully,"  con- 
tinued Dick,  pointing  eastward.  "  Now,  for- 
ward—march !" 

There  waa  a  commotion  among  the  fugi- 
tives, and  about  sixty  marched  down  the 
ravine,  until  the  sharpshooter's  voice  brought 
them  to  a  halt. 

"We  will  resist,"  said  Dick.  "You  men 
who  want  to  go  to  Richmond  kin  git  up  an' 
git^  You'll  find  Major  Templeton  the  near- 
est, an'  if  you  want  to  surrender  to  a  gentle- 
man, I'll  recommend  him  for  one,  on  Lily's 
say  so." 


The  thirty-three  who  had  resolved  to  sur- 
render rather  than  tempt  danger  further, 
climbed  the  northern  side  of  the  gulch,  and 
slowly  vanished  from  their  companions' 
sight. 

I  don't  call  'em  cowards,  Lily,"  said  Dick, 


Run,  for  I  noticed  some  of 'em  tbar;  but  they 
hadn't  the  grit  to  go  on  w  hen  they  hadn't  a 
gun  to  fire  at  the  enemy." 

It  was  evident  that  the  Confederate  forces 
were  rapidly  closing  in  upon  the  sixty-two 
Unionists  whc  still  reuiained  in  the  gully. 

.Tuiie  and  ( 'uiljo  canic  back  from  the  thick- 
et abo\.- tli.- lipil  of  thi^  ravine  with  the  in- 
tellijii'nce  that  the  head  ot  Templeton's  col- 

Ever  and  auou,  from  the  south  came  the 
thrilling  baying  of  the  tawny  bloodhounds. 

There  is  no  doubt  that  this  terrible  sound 
had  enlarged  the  fears  of  the  thirty-three 
who  had  just  left  the  band. 

The  peculiar  cry  of  these  monsters  is  terri- 
ble at  all  times,  and,  to  unarmed  men  penned 
up  in  a  brake,  it  possesses  a  terror  which  no 
pen  can  describe. 

Resistance  was  not  to  be  thought  of  as 
long  as  an  avenue  of  escape  was  left  open. 

But  had  not  every  door  been  closed '/ 

"  We  kin  go  down  de  gully,  an'  come  out 
beyond  de  graycoats,  cap'n,"  said  Jupe, 
breaking  in  upon  the  deliberations  of  the  im- 
portant council  which  the  sharpshooter  had 
called. 

"That is  true,  if  the  grayjackets  ar' ad- 
vancin' straight  upon  us,"  answered  Dick. 
"  We  must  recollect  that  there  may  be  men 
with  Templeton  and  Wambold  who  know 
every  foot  of  this  thicket.  If  thar  ar'  none 
such  thar,  the  negroes  who  lead  those  devil- 
ish dogs  do  know.     However,  we  niiiibt   trv 


The  head  of  the  devoted  .•..luiiiii  was  umv 
turned  toward  the  east;  and,  lieadeil  by 
Dick  and  the  loyal  blacks,  the  men  hastened 
from  the  spot. 

The  bottom  of  the  gully  had  once  been  the 
bed  of  some  stream,  but  it  was  now  covered 
with  a  rank  growth  of  vegetation  peculiar 
to  Virginian  tlii<-kets.  It  was  yielding,  and 
gave  iiiiili  nu  siaiiid  as  tlie'feet  of  the 
Unionists  (  luslu-d  il  to  llie  earth. 

On  jiushed  the  little  band,  unseen,  of 
course,  by  the  enemy  above. 

Hopes  began  to  run  high  as  yard  alter 
yard  was  left  behind,  and  they  remained 
undiscovered. 

Would  they  not  be  able  to  elude  their  hun- 
ters after  all,  and  gain  the  secret  trail  which 
Jupe  and  Cudjo  said  would  take  them  to 
Centreville,  still  held  by  the  Union  army  ? 

All   at  once,  Cudjo,  who  had  poked  his 


fives,  and  commanded  silence. 

"De  dogs!"  almost  gasped  the  uegi-o. 
"Kernul  Blood's  hounds  all  loose — ebery 
one." 

"Heavens!"  was  the  exclamation  heard 
on  every  side,  and  not  a  few  of  the  si.xty- 
two  Unionists,  perhaps,  which  themselves 
with  their  late  companions  who  had  un- 
doubtedly surrendered  by  that  time,  and 
were  safe  from  the  teeth  of  the  blood- 
hounds. 

Sharpshooter  Dick's  keen  eye  saw  the 
ones  who  recoiled  li-om  Cudjo'a  intelli- 
gence. 

"  It  is  not  too  late  for  those  who  want  to 
go  back  to  do  so,"  he  said,  singling  those 
out  with  a  glance. 

"  If  thar  ar'  a  thousand  dogs  up  yonder, 
I'm  goiu'  on." 

"We're  all  going  on!"  was  the  response 
from  the  throats  of  more  than  forty  brave 
men.  "The  time  fi.r  suirender  has  passed, 
Dick.    We  arc  «  ith  \<ai  lo  a  man!" 

"I  thought  ye  i\a),  sail!  tlie  mountain- 
eer. "  I'd  hate  to  (liiiik  lliat  thar  is  a  man 
among  ye  what's  afraid  of  a  dog,"  and  he 
turned    toward     the    right    bank    of    the 

His  companions  saw  him  ascend  to  the 
top,  where  he  paused  for  a  moment,  and 
looked  into  the  thicket. 

What  did  he  see  ? 

Not  far  away,  holding  twenty  muzzled 
dogs  of  frightful  aspect,  were  twelve  ne- 
groes. 

The  bloodhounds  were  eager  to  rush  to- 
ward the  gully  as  if  they  knew  that   their 


person  behind  them  to  come  up,  for  they 
continually  sent  anxious  glances  over  their 
shoulders. 

The  sharpshooter's  eyes  flashed  as  he  sur- 
veyed this  scene. 


"I  hate  the  dogs  worse  than  I  do  the  gray- 
coats!" he  said  to  himself.  "If  we  could 
nd  ourselves  of  the  hounds,  we  might  out- 
wit Templeton  and  Wambold,  but " 

His  sentence  was  broken  by  a  voice  from 
below. 

"  Come  down.  Dick,  for  the  rebels  are  in 
the  gully  behind  us !" 

It  was  Lily's  voice;  but  the  mountaineer 
did  not  obey  it.  He  glnneed  over  his  shoul- 
der, and  saiil  to  file  little  advance  guard— 
the  men  who  (arriiil  the  niusUets  taken 
from  the  Confeiierates  en  the  train  : 

"Comeuii  lier.'  willi  yiair  muskets." 

h1\  allied,  aiid  soon  crouched  at 


the 


IJick  had  shown  them  the 


"W.-    mu.st 

niak 

"You  see  tlia 

t    .SOI 

nf    11 

e  animals  stand 

side   by  side. 

A 

li^ihtly  aimed, 

will  go  throng 

ion 

,..■   a 

me  1 

al 

.it  1 

1  in  hi  iites  we've 

won  a  big  vii 

1' 

kin  defend  the 

gully  ag'iii   a 

1    et 

lohunies,  it  thev 

come  from    11 

e      W 

,~l 

as    1 

ilysays  they  ar' 

■eril 

must  shoot  at 

lies 

nil 

The   bluecoated 

fu 

iitive 

select  their  targets,  and  one  by  one  reported 
to  Dick. 

"  Now,  take  a  sure  aim— the  kind  I  would 
take  if  I  had  Killbuok  at  my  shoulder!" 
hesaiil.  "1  don't  knov,-  how  this  musket 
will  ivoik,  but  111  do  mvdutvif  it  will  plav 


I  of  ' 


e  y     Fir 

ken  in  a  low  tone,  was 

racked  simultaneously, 
lumber  of  bloodhounds 
■  and  fell  dead  at  the 
ed  keepers! 

y  volley,  andthefright- 
.;  el  iesof  consternation, 
11   the  scene  as  fast  as 


ildi 


The  unwounded  dogs  did  not  hesitate  to 
follow  their  example,  for  the  bloodthir.«ty 
beasts  seemed  no  less  thunderstruck  than  the 
darkies. 

"  That's  what  I  call  execution !"  exclaimed 
Dick.  "I  think  ouly  six  dogs  got  away.  I 
knew  we  could  make  several  good  double 
shots,  for  some  of  tlie  animals  war  standin' 
close  together.    Now,  for  the  other  enemy." 

Sharpshooter  Dick  turned  and  1ml  hisnien 
down  the  bank.  They  had  imthiiig  to  feai- 
from  the  bloodhouuils  lor  the  present,  and 
they  were,  therefore,  at  liberty  to  turn  their 
attention  to  the  force  ot  Confe'deratcs  which 
advancing  down  the  gully  upon  them. 
"       -'     '  '    '   by  Templeton 


Whether  the  force  was  led 


to  others. 

Crouched  in  the  rank  undergrowth  which, 
as  has  been  said,  covered  the  bed  of  the 
gully,  the  fugitives  waited  for  the  foe. 
Brave  men  held  their  breath,  as  they  fixed 
their  eyes  on  the  west,  for  from  that  pointof 
the  compass  the  enemy  was  expected  to  ap- 
pear. 

"Thar'  they  are  at  last!"  suddenly  ex- 
claimed the  mountaineer.  "Who  is  that 
man  at  the  head  of  the  gang,  Lily  ?  Is  it  the 
major?" 

"No,  it  is  not,"  answered  the  sharpshoot- 
er's sweetheart. 

"Then  it  is  Wambold ;  an'  we'll  make  pre- 
cious short  work  of  him." 

Tbegrav  nnifnrni.s  of  the  advancing  Con- 
federati'sVere  iioiv  .lisiinctlv  Aisible.  The 
men  ^^el■e  pn^hiii]:-  l|o^Ml  11, e  unny  with  a 
good  ileal  of  eaL'ern.-<.  lor  llie  \  ,,lley  which 
hadseilled  thelalenl  ilieilo-s  had  located 
the  fusitives  to  th.  ir  had.  r  s  salislaction. 

The  minutes  now  se.-in.'.l  honi  s.  as  thefew 
armed  Unionists  witli  their  liiiLiers  at  the 
triggers  ot  their  weapons  awaited  with 
breathless  inipatience  the  sharpshooter's 
eouiniaiiils  to  hie. 

Th.'  I  '..nt.'.l.  rates  continued  to  advance. 

Whv  ili.l  not  Diek  give  the  order? 

"I  want  the  revolvers  to  get  their  work 
in!"  ho  murmured,  when  he  noticed  the 
eagerness  that  pervaded  his  devoted  ranks. 
"  If  that  captain  is  Wambold,  he's  got  more 
bravery  than  discretion— to  advance  upon 


shooter's  last  words. 


the  head  of  the 


which,  for  the  number  of  shots  fired,  did 
terrible  execution. 
The  graycoats  not  expecting  such  a  volley 


THE  WAR  LIBKARY. 


17 


iuvoluutarily  reuoiled,  having  first  seeu  their 
leader  stagger  back  into  the  arms  of  a  com- 
rade. 

"Stand  your  ground  for  the  old  flag!" 
cried  Dick,  and  then  he  added  in  a  lower 
tone  to  those  around  him.  "Pour  it  into 
'em  with  yer  revolvers,  an'  make  'em  think 
we're  all  armed." 

The  desperate  bluecoats  did  not  hesitate, 
and  as  the  heavy  six-shooters  sent  their  con- 
tents among  the  startled  ranks,  the  light 
seemed  to  swell  into  the  magnitude  of  a 
1  battle. 

I  Wambold's  company  consisted  of  very 
I  few  men.  What  it  lacked  in  numbers  it 
I  would  have  made  up  in  courage  upon  the 
field  of  battle;  but  now  the  men  believed 
that  they  were  confronted  by  more  than  one 
hundred  Unionists. 

It  is  no  wonder  that  the  Confederates  re- 
coiled. 

All  at  once  a  loud  voice  from  overhead 
startled  the  fugitives. 

"Surrender,  Yankees!  Surrender,  or  be 
shot  to  pieces!' 

The  bluecoats  turned  and  looked  up. 

The  speaker,  a  handsome  Confederate  offi- 
cer, stood  on  the  bank  of  the  ravine,  and 
scores  of  muskets  were  fast  appearing  on  his 
right  hand  and  on.his  left 

"It  is  Major  Templeton!"  exclaimed  Lily. 


CHAPTER  XVII. 

GIVING  A  GIRL  TOO   MUCH  STRING. 

Of  the  countless  attempts  at  escape  from 


Southern  pris 
were  many  that 
Hundreds  of  1 
apprehended  w 
brightest,  dragf; 
sul)jected  to 


rebellion,  there 

J  pursued  and 
ispects  looked 
itinement,  and 
11  ever. 


The  hopes  of  tli.-  jiuUaiit  liltle  band  led  by 
Sharpshooter  Dick  begau  to  fade  when  they 
beheld  Major  Templeton  and  his  men  on  the 
bank  above  thera. 

Having  heard  the  attack  on  Wambold, 
the  Confederate  had  hastened  forward,  and, 
as  we  have  seen,  reached  the  spot  just  as 
victory  was  declaring  for  the  fugitives. 

"Throw  down  your  arms,  or  1  shall  order 
my  men  to  fire  among  you!"  continued 
Templeton,  seeing  the  fii^itives  still  speech- 
less from  fright.  "  There  is  a  lady  with  you, 
I  SIM'.     If  you  are  men,  you   will  siirvHurier 

•■  _L.i.uU  not  ut  uie!"  cried  Lily,  uuui f.ssiug 
the  fugitives.  "  If  you  are  going  to  resist,  go 
on  and  do  so,  just  as  iti  was  a  thousand  miles 
away." 

"  They're  too  many  for  us !"  replied  Sharp- 
shooter Dick.  "  We  would  \h-  slu.t  to  pieces 
in  less  than  five  minutes.     Tlie  <:ame  ends 


time,  and  stood  re.ady  with  loaded  muskets 
to  avenge  the  death  of  their  leader  and  com- 
rades. 

Outnumbered,  and  menaced  by  more  than 
three  hundred  guns,  the  Unionists  could  do 
naught  but  sinivii,l,.r. 

FuitliiT  iiMstuiH  ,'  would  have  proved  the 
heiglit  I'J  tollv,  am)  a  glance  through  his 
ranks,  tolil  tin-  shaipshoot*ir  that  the  blue- 
coats weir  rtuily  lo  accept  the situatiion  and 
suirender. 

He  accordingly  informed  Major  Temple- 
ton that  they  would  surrender. 

The  CouiViU-iatis  ikjw  came  down  from 
abovi',  •vliil.-  V,^i;M;iii!  r-  nieu  advanced 
aloii,i;ili'    !    i|<^      K  ",- and   in  less  time 

than  \> '          I    I        '  !,  the  sixty-two 

fuglln. .,!..,::,  a! 

"II  ^^a    a^ :    '   i,        ;■  lihprty,  miss!" 


ha  v. 


thi 


Wmuliold's  men  wen-  vaiica'  ta  \  isit  saina 
kind  (jf  vengeance  npipii  ilu-  piisnmis;  but 
Major  Templeton  had  resolved  that  they 
should  be  courteously  treated. 

High  words  passed  between  the  members 
of  tlie  two  forces;  but  the  major  stood  his 
ground  and  carried  his  point. 

Cud  jo  and  Jupe,  the  darky  guides,  strange 
to  say,  were  not  to  be  found  when  the  sur- 
render took  place ;  they  had  stolen  from  the 
gully,  and  were,  doubtless,  far  from  the 
spot. 

Preparations  for  marching  the  prisoners 
to  the  nearest  point  on  the  railroad  were 


now  made;  and,  well  guarded  by  Temple- 
ton's  men,  the  journey  began. 

We  need  not  say  that  it  was  a  gloomy 
tramp  for  the  disheartened  men. 

Fortune  was  against  them ;  they  had  play- 
ed desperate  cards  and  lost,  and  it  was  not 
improbable  that  their  resistance  to  Wam- 
bold, and  that  officer's  death,  that  they 
would  be  subjected  to  much  ill  treatment  at 
Richmond. 

Major  Templeton's  attentions  to  Lily  were 
marked  enough  to  arrest  the  gaze  of  all. 

The  handsome  Confederate  walked  by  her 
side  and  kept  up  as  train  of  words,  which 
were  so  courteous  that  Lily  could  not  find  it 


said  to  the  girl,  "  I  must  say 
Iried  by  court-martial  on  his 
Lioud." 


ejaculated,  i 
mpletoii    th: 

•;"f*l"-|'i;il^ 
"■  was^h'.■lv, 

n  a  tone  that 
t  the  sharp- 
riend. 

1  power  their 
ly.     "Wam- 

ill    luiM^  r]K 

1-  vengeance, 
rses  prefer- 

lied. 

Lilv  wassilnil  tal-aiinnata. 

"  bare  they  do  this  ?"  she  imiuired. 

Major  Templeton  smiled. 

"They  dare  do  anything,  miss,"  he  said. 
"There  are  men  in  yon  detachment  mean 
enough  to  send  a  bullet  through  the  sharp- 
shooter's back.  Fear  of  my  men,  who  are 
devoted  to  my  orders,  alone  deter  them.  But 
you  have  not  answered  me.  Is  the  sharp- 
shooter an  especial  friend  of  yours?" 

Lily  tried  not  to  blush  as  the  eyes  of  the 
Confederati-  iniijnr  l.a.aaie  lixad  uiimi  her. 

without  bi'l  jaA  iiijr  hiisi-U  as  slu'  llaai^'lit. 

my  hands,  1  'shall  ]i>-  liaii|i\-  In  a.-sisi  liiiii." 

These  wui-.ls  w.t,-  siH.k,!,  ia  a  1..k  tmi... 
which  only  lah- lirainl.  Shr  f'-U  lai-  hcail 
standstill,  ai)d  lal.l  laTbieiilh  lest  breath- 
ing should  bell-ay  theui. 

"I  mean  that  your  friend  need  not  go 
to  Richmond  if  he  will  accept  assistance  at 
my  hand,"  continued  Templeton,  in  the 
same  strain. 

"Oh,  he  will  do  that." 

"Go  and  see." 


'He's    got    devilish  clever    all  at  once," 
ejaculated   the    mountaineer  when  the  girl 


rhite  as  she  fl.xed  her 


he  would  be' taken  to  Richmond,  where  they 
would  try  and  shoot  him  ! 

"  What  do  you  mean,  Dick?"  she  inquired. 

"  Why,  he  wants  Wamliold's  men  to  finish 
me:  bat  hf's  aliaid  to  trust  me  with  the 
l)iis(ait'rs  all  llic  way  to  Richmond.  We 
nii.^ht  i-ra|"'  auain.  Xow,  he  would  give 
UU-  a  rliaiMi'  Icir  isc  ape,  and  when  I  had 
staitcil  la- would  raise  the  hue  and  cry,  and 
start  WaiaboMs  men  on  my  trail.  If  I 
es.-aiM-,  %,Hi -..along,  Lily." 

"  Ah  :'  said  tliogirl,  brightening,  "lagree 
to  that,  Dick.     We  will  escape  together.    It 

3e  no  harm    to  lake  a  "  '    ' 

majo  "" 

"  All's  fair  in  war  they  say ;  an'  this  is  war. 
Go  back  an'  make  the  bargain  with  the 
major  in  gray.  Tell  him  that  Dick  Griswold 
Hill  aci-opt  his  aid.    There,   Lil;  play  your 

I'la-  .i:iil  left  Sharpshooter  Dick  with  a 
smile,  ami  iclurnod  to  Major  Templeton, 
whoso  oyos  liail  not  once  lo.st  sight  of  her 
during  tla-  inloix  iow. 

"I  tlioa^ihi  lio  w  .  Mild  not  refuse  my  offer!" 
exi-laiiaoii  11a- (  oatoilorate.  "We  will  soon 
loaoh  a  lai  u'  h.a-o  -a  short  distance  from  the 
railioail,  I  sliall  halt  my  men  there  for  a 
v,->\.  1  sha'.i  -li;.  to  tho  barn  and  saddle  with 
my  own  iaiml^a  I  hak    horse  whose  mettle 

tried.  iJuiin-  il,o  iialt'lla-  i.iisonoi's  will 
not  1)0  (•ai-otall\  watched,  for  lia-y  haye  de- 
ported thi-iusrlyis  so  wi-U  siia-c  the  i-i-eap- 
tiire  that  luv  men  are  not  ou  their  guard. 
When  I  return  from  the  barn.  Sharpshooter 
Dick  will  gain  it  at  the  first  opportunity, 
mount  the  horse,  open  the  back  door,  and 
ride  wherever  it  pleases  him." 
Lily  could  scarcely    conceal    her  delight 


escape  to  the  sharpshooter,  and  this  she 
speedily  did. 

"It's  all  right,  Lily,"  he  said.  "Before 
long  the  worst  fooled  rebel  in  this  whole 
country  will  call  himself  Major  Temple- 
ton!" 

Not  long  afterward  the  house  mentioned 
by  the  major  was  reached. 

The  Union  prisoners  were  permitted  fo- 
rest themselves  beneath  the  trees  that  shaded 
the  yielding  sward  in  front  of  the  dwelling, 
and  to  quench  their  raging  thirst  at  the  well 
near  by. 

The  owner  of  tin-  place,  a  white-haired 
Virgiui;-,  laim.-r,  and  a  man  who  was  at- 
tached lieait  and  soul  to  the  rebel  cause, 
welcomed  Harry  Teiiipletoii  with  a  great 
deal  of  curdiality,  and  ordered  his  slaves  to 
prepa:-e  a  feast  f oi-  the  men  in  gray. 

With  a  significant  glance  at  Lily,  the 
Southern  major  glided  toward  the  barn, 
from  which  he  soon  afterward  emerged 
with  a  look  on  his  face  which  told  her  that 
his  plan  had  saeee,.,le,l  >o  far. 

The  jiiii  ilid  not  doubt  that  the  black 
horse  had  been  foaml  and  saddled. 

The  ]■!  o]iiiefor  ol  the  Virginian  homestead 
now  (oudneieil  :M;ijoi-  Templeton,  and  sev- 
eral (d'  liis  oflleei  s  into  thehousc.  Where  thev 
found  a  tabli'  laileii  with  the  viands  that 
cheer  the  inner  man. 

The  \  iru Ol  -  eellai-s  had  beenransacked 

for  lie-  '  :  I  — ^  :  e-  ilie\-  e.ailained,  and 
before.  _:  I  ,.  ■  aiili  o[  the-  new  govern- 
meiil  ^.       I     !Mi;    oiank  ainiil  inueli  hilarity. 

We  nei.l  not,  suppose  that  dui-iug  this 
time  Major  Templeton  did  not  cast  furtive 
ghiiK-i-s  toward  the  barn  from  the  window, 
near  which  he  had  stationed  himself  for  a 
c  ei  lain  jiui-pose. 

He  -vvas  playing  a  game  which  he  thought 
«ould\vin  him  Lily  Donway's  gratitude- 
lie  ueyer  dreamed  that  Sharpshooter  Dick 
ami  lie- ^ ill  were  bound  together  by  ties  he 
e.aild  ne\f  r  break;  but  the  time  when  he 
\\  ..aid  i>iieii  his  eyes  to  stern  facts  was  not 

All  at  once,  the  select  company  of  ban- 
(pieters  were  startled  by  a  score  of  musket 
shots,  and  the  major  saw  numbers  of  his  men 
running  toward  the  barn  with  arms  in  their 
hands. 

The  next  moment,  a  soidier's  face  ap- 
peared at  the  window. 

"  The  sharpshooter  has  escaped  !"  ho  cried. 
"For  Gud's  ^:■.Ue  come  out  and  give  us 
oi-ders ! ' ' 

"Escaped?  I  guess  not,"  said  Templeton, 
feigning  incredulity.  "You  must  be  mis- 
taken." 

"  I  am  not.  He  rode  out  of  the  barn  by 
the  rear  door.  He  \viis  mounted  on  a  black 
horse.  Some  of  the  boys  saw  and  fired  at 
him  ;  but  never  touched  a  hair." 

At  the  mention  of  the  black  horse,  the 
host  uttered  a  piercing  cry. 

"  He  has  taken  Seliiu— the  only  full-blood- 
ed horse  I  have!"  were  his  words.  "My 
heavens !  Major,  you  art  not  going  to  let 
him  get  away  on  that  beast?" 

"Ne^■.■l■!■■  s!n.nt.-il  T.uipleton,  springing 
throii,;;h  tla-  ..p.-n  \v  ia.lo\-,-,  ami  ali-hting  on 
the  groaa.l  ouf.ri.!.-.  -■  Wliieli  way  has  he 
goner"  la- a.-k.-.l,  as  his  i-\as  fell  upon  the 
soldier  who  laid  brought  the  ne.ys  ot  Dick's 
escape. 

"He  took  the  back  track,  but  he  isn't 
alone.    The  girl  went  with  him." 

Major  Templeton  fairly  gasped. 

"  I  thought  that  the  girl  was  up  to  some- 
thing all  along,"  ventured  the  soldier,  who 
was  a  corporal.  "  She  hasn't  been  whisper- 
ing to  hhn  for  nothing." 

As  for  Templeton,  he  coidd  not  speak. 

He  bit  his  lip,  and  held  back  his  rage. 

Lily  Donway  had  outwitted  him. 


CHAPTER  XVIII. 

THE   AEREST  FOR  TREASON. 

Having  followed  the  fortunes  of  Sharp- 
shooter Dick  lor  some  time  without  a  break, 
it  now  becomes  our  duty  to  leave  him  tor 
awhile,  and  return  to  certain  other  charac- 
ters of  our  romance. 

We  left  Melville  Dare  just  after  he  receiv- 
ed the  communication  from  General  Beau- 
regard which  had  constituted  him  a  secret 
agent  of  the  Confederacy — in  other,  and 
plainer  words,  a  spy  ! 

Gieat  as  was  his  chagiiu  at  learning  that 
Sharpshooter  Dick  had  been  conveyed  to 
Richmond  with  a  lot  of  prisoners,  he  did  not 
give  vent  to  it,  but  resolved  to  obey  the 
mandate,  harsh  as  it  was. 

The  narration  of  Nettie  Knox's  dream 
was  still  fresh  in  his  mind ;  he  could  not  dis- 
sipate the  thoughts  it  had  occasioned,  and 
he  was  in  no  mood  to  proceed  clear-headecl 
to  his  duty. 


THE  WA.Il  LIBRARY. 


Half  an  hour  later  he  was  well  mounted, 
and  on  the  road  to  Washington. 

Ducroy  and  Nettie,  his  beautiful  ward, 
were  some  distance  iu  advance  of  him.  Du- 
croy had  changed  his  mind. 

Melville  was  willing  that  they  should  reach 
the  capital,  and  settle  down  once  more  in 
this  old  home  before  he  made  his  appear- 
anoe  on  the  scene. 

Ducroy  was  satisfied  tliat  tlit'ia]>tiin'.l  (li<- 

gatcheshad   not  falh-ii    iiili.   Sr,,n  s  iian.ls. 
Iveu  if  they  had,  he  haii    inaHi' iq.  lii>  iniial 
to  pronounce  them  ioi -.-i  i^.s,  is-^u.ii  ijy  snii].- 
desifj;niiiK  pi  isdii  lur  the  purpose  of  gettmg 
him  into  tiiiulilc. 
As  yet,  till-  ;:ii\(innientatWashingtonhad 


Japii 


"  That  pleases  me.  It  is  my  earnest  desire 
that  he  receives  this  message  to-night,"  and 
Lincoln  drew  a  piece  of  folded  paper  from 
an  inner  pocket.  "  I  tell  you,  young  man,  if 
we  had  more  men  like  Dncroy  at  this  hour 
with  us,  congress  might  move  faster  than  it 
does." 

A  faint  smile  wreathed  Melville's  lips. 

He  cnulii  not  help  remarking  the  blind 
I'liiilidi  iiic;i  I'pnsed  in  James  Dueroy  by  the 
(iii^tliil  i.iiHolii,  and  be  took  the  extende<l 
iKip.i  Willi  ihi'  smile  still  at  the  corners  ol 


and  some  Confederate  officers  at  Bull  llun. 
I  have  already  learned,  through  friends,  thai 
the  soldier  is  not  one  of  the  most  leliable  of 

"Think  of  the  effect  of  the  arrest.  This 
little  note  tells  me  that  my  guardian  was  in 
the  confidence  of  the  president  him.-^elf. 
What  will  Lincoln  say  when  he  hears  of  the 
arrest'/  All.  sir,  it  is  a  terrible  thing  when 
men  ul  wmth  turn  against  the  flag  that  has 
pmlcitcd  thiiii  li  laii  i  liildliood." 

Melvilli-aliia.st  i.,..il.-.l  liom  the  young  , 
gill's  trazi-  as  tin-  la-t  .-^i-iiteuce  dropped  word  j 

"As  Ml.  Diiii.iy  has  been  arrested,  what  I 
may  not  fiillow'-' I-.. utiuued  Nettie.  "What  i 
if  the  sUileii  (iifpali  lies  should  be  produced'/ 
What  il Ccitain    la.n    knew   that  you   were 


Jtl 


Mel- 


Melville  Dare  reached  Washington  without 
auch  difHeulty. 

He  found  the  city  in  an  uproar.  Troops 
rere  being  puslied  toward  the  Potomac 
pitli  till'  niiiiu.-i  alai  1  ii\ ,  tor  it  was  believed 
ly  thoii-aiKi- thai  lli.^  vi.-tois  of  Bull   Run 


rery  nert 


had  shaken  every 
liter  to  cireumfer- 
il  hillside  and  plain 
is-e  of  the  stars  and 


Til. 


sti'ipes. 

Disaster  had  aci 
tory  could  have 


sights  he  saw  and  tli..-  tiiuigs  lie  li.aid  iii 
Wsuiliiiigtou. 

The  city  had  thrown  open  the  gates  of  war, 
and  thousands  of  bluecoats  were  swarming 
through  them. 

As  ho  passed  the  White  House  ho  raught  a 
gllinp-o    of   a    palo,    oafo-woiai     but     n.anly 


s    first  sight  of  the  new 


the  death  rolies  of  a  martyr  around  las  im- 
mortal form. 

The  face  of  the  president  was  turned  to- 
ward the  Potomac,  and  his  thoughts  seemed 
to  be  with  the  soldiers  whose  camps  were 
beyond  the  rivor. 

All  at  onco  ho  disappoaiod  from  Melville's 
;gaze,  and  tlio  \  ounn man  was  about  to  move 
ou  when  tlio  tali  ligiiio  of  Liueolu  suddenly 
appeared  in  the  grove  before  him. 

Melville  had  not  seen  the  president  until 
he  had  approached  to  within  a  few  feet  of 
him.  and  then  he  could  not  withdraw  un- 
noticed. 

Feeling  that  he  had  sought  the  spot  from 
no  disgraceful  motive,  although  he  was 
beauregard's  spy,  Melville  I'esolved  to  walk 
Boldly  away,  and  leave  the  president  to  his 


He,  tl 


isod 


that  he  liad  mot  the  presiuoiit,  wiioii  lie 
heard  a  voice  behind  him. 

"Young  man,  I  would  speak  with  you  a 
moment." 

The  young  Confederate  turned  and  await- 
ed Lincoln,  who  came  up  and  halted  in 
front  of  him. 

A  strange  feeling  tingled  Melville's  nerves, 
and  he  wondered  what  kind  of  an  interview 
was  about  to  take  place. 

For  a  moment  the  soft  eyes  of  the  presi- 
dent remained  fixed  upon  him,  as  though  he 
were  reading  Melville's  heart,  and  when  he 
spoke  again  his  voice  seemed  totally 
changed. 

"  Young  man,"  said  Lincoln,  "  are  you  ac- 
quainted 111  Washiugton?" 

Melville  answered  that  the  city  was  no 
unknowu  to  him. 

"  You  must  know  the  Honorable  Mr.  Du- 
oroy,  then  '/" 

Did  Lincoln  notice  Melville's  start  ? 

"Yes,  sir;  1  know  Mr.  Ducroy,"  he  said. 
•"  I  may  say  that  I  am  personally  acquainted 
with  him." 


noose  of  death. 

A  long  walk   brought  him    to  the  well- 
known  mansion  of  the  congressman,  and  he 


you  heah 
i  the  stai  t- 
Doii't  you  kuow  dat  Mr. 
taken  away  iu  a  carriage 
Presiden'   Lincoln's  gov'- 


"  What !  Duoioy  arrested  ?'' 

Melville  almost  stag;;ored  from  the  step. 

"  1  know  nothing,  ■  iie  got  outat  last.  "I 
am  here  with  a  message,  from  oue  high  iu 
authority,  for  Mr.  Ducroy." 

"  I  couldn't  tell  whar  you'd   find" 


1  all  1 


ipov 


Wt 


:o  ne.\t.     I'se  put  ou  my  liest  clothes 
ippear  presentalile  liefore  de  jedges. 

no  hasn't  left  her  room  since  dey 

.  hi;.  I  .,v  away " 

.til.'  IS  here  I   must  see  her,"  said 
.    I.r.akiiig    in    upon    the    porter's 

.     "I'lom    her  I   will    learn    some- 

iousi;itlo,  fo'd.-c.ffic.-rs  uidii't  j^ivo 
satislaclion.  Mr.  Ducroy  lole  her 
me  hack  by-ra-bj';  but  he  won't. 
-o  w  hat  has  kuowed  him  ob  ole  will 
111  no  mo'  for  eber." 
so  lia.lasthat,  I  hope,"  said  Melville, 
.1    lau;;h.     "1   must  see  Nettie,  as  I 


.■ongiv.sni 

US  wal.l  . 

■.111..'  threshold  of 

■■ijhl  it 

is'  x".'.!!'''''. 

■-' 

iiin.'.l   Nettie,  sur- 

J,'  ll\.-.l  ll.' 

'  i" 

ze   upon   Melville. 

..n   th.-    I.a 

11.' 

ield   this  morning. 

I  did  not.. 

S|..>.1  1..    s.> 

■  y 

ou  ill   Washington 

to-nighl." 

re,  n.'y.-itl 

•1.' 

s,  '  was   th.'  young 

y.     ••  1  hay. 

|U 

Ducroy  ha 

-tliat  h.-l 

1  at  lo'iii.'." 

"Heisu 

idoiairost 

11.1  .N.-ltU',  boldly. 

of  a  message  to  him  f  i 

om 

the  president  him- 

"  A  message  from  President  Lincoln,  and 

by  !/o(ii"'    exclaimed  Nettie,  advancing  to- 


1.1  to 


hesitate  to  deliver  up. 

For  a  moment  Nettie  regarded  the  homely 
superscription,  and  then  tore  the  packet 
open. 

The  sentence  which  she  read  was  brief, 
and  characteristic  of  the  man  who  had  pen- 
ned it.    It  ran  as  follows : 


"Mv  FRIEND  DrcRoy :— Do  come  and  see  me  lo- 
nighl  lit  nine,  it  possible.  A.  LIXCOLX." 

A  sigh  of  sadness  escaped  Nettie's  heart 
as  she  looked  up  and  caught  Melville's  anx- 
ious eyes. 

"How  some  men  are  trusted!"  she  said. 
"Mr.  Ducroy  has  played  a  double  game 
which  has  at  last  gotten  him  into  trouble. 
While,  I  believe,  he  will  soon  be  released, 
unless  stronger  proof  Isbroughtagainsthim, 
I  must  confess  that  he  is  placed  iu  an  unenvi- 
able situation. 

"  He  was  arrested  on  the  information  of 
an  escaped  Union  soldier  who  overheard  a 
certain   couversatiou  between  Mr.   Ducroy 


he  could  not  repress, 
'.llrom  the  outstretched 
liim,  and  with  a  cr;  of 
lie    turned   and   rushed 


the  windo-vv. 

She  saw  the  trees  iu  front  of  the  mansion, 
nothing  more. 

The  gaslight  did  not  reveal  the  figure  of 
Melville  Dare. 

He  had  disappeared  with  a  terrible  utter- 


lil 
Yes,  the  die  had  been  cast ! 


CHAPXJiU  XiX.  . 

HUNTED  AGAIX. 

"I  am  a  fool,  anil  a  ooiisiimniate  one  at 
that!  I  gave  (liat  Yank..'  giil  t....  much 
string,  and  sh.' has  lak.ii  a.haiita-.'  of  the 
license,  just  as  ainM'UMlil.' fill  would  have 
done.  Well,  lot  h.r  K'J.  1  will  know  better 
next  time." 

Th.'so  w.ir.ls  f.'ll  from  Major  Templeton's 
lips  w  h.'ii  ho  I'.alizcd  that  Lily  Donway  »'ad 
actually  outwitted  him,  and  that  she  had 
tk'il  with  Sbarpshooter  Dick  on  the  Virginia 
farmer's  black  horse. 

Yes,  he  would  know  better  the  next  time. 

Nevermore  would  he  trust  a  woman  when 
he  had  her  lover  ceged;  they  were  all  alike, 
and  could  not  be  expected  to  desert  an  old 
lover  for  a  new  one  when  the  former  was  in 
danger  and  in  need  of  a  rescue. 

Chagrined  beyond  expression,  and  almost 
consumed  by  rage,  the  duped  Confederate 
major  returned  to  his  command. 

He  could  appease  his  soldiers,  but  the  loser 
of  the  black  steed  was  not  so  easily  quieted. 

The  Virginian  was  in  a  state  of  rage  border- 
ing ou  frenzy. 

"  You  may  look  upon  it  as  the  loss  of  one 
man — a  good-for-nottiiug  jjrisoner ! "  he  ex- 
claimed, addressing  the  major;  "but  I  have 
lost  the  bUi.'St-bloodcd  horse  in  all  Virginia. 
Y..1I,  who  hav.'  ii.'V.'i'  jh.ss.'ss.'.I  su.'li  a  sl.'.'.i, 


to  siiih  an  oiiirau.'.  I '  .iilonnd  it,  major, 
whci .'  w.i .'  \  ...It  >olili.  r^'  .yes  that  they  did 
not  s.'.' till- 'SanlMo  ;^irl  and'hcr  lover  enter 
theliain/  11  t  h.' su. .  i'>s  of  the  South  de- 
pends ,ai  til.'  \\  at.  hi  Illness  of  such  men,  why, 
younii^lit  a.».  II  I II. 'ak  your  sword  and  dis- 
miss vi'iir  ral.lilo.' 

Til.'  \  iiuiiiiaii  11  lusod  to  be  quieted. 

ill' hit  I'l  iiipli  i.iii  in  transports  of  rage 
and  \>  alki  il  o\  I  1  to   ^vhi'M'  Wambold's  men 

Hi' soon  .lis.  ov.i.'.l  that  lie  was  among  a 
lot  of  iiu  11  w  ho  svnipaihiz.'.l  with  him. 

"The  Yaukcc'sbarp.-hooter  and  his  girl 
can't  get  far  if  they  are  pursued,"  said  one 
of  the  soldiers.  "  They  will  soon  become  too 
conspicuous  on  the  black  horse." 

"  Bloodhounds  and  well-mounted  negroes 
will  find  them!"  exclaimed  the  farmer  and 
off  he  started  to  get  ready  for  the  chase. 

Major  Templeton  was  left  to  convey  the  re- 
mainder of  his  prisoners  to  the  railroad 
liver  whicli  they  could  be  conducted  to  Rich- 


THE  WAR  LIBRARY. 


A  number  of  slaves,  well-mouuled,  were 
sent  out  in  different  directions. 

One,  it  was  uoti(!ed,  rode  toward  Colonel 
Blood's. 

He  carried  a  message  from  his  master  to 
the  owner  of  the  fnmoiis  kennels. 

Meanwhile,  ."^liiiT  psiiix.tci-  Dick  and  Lily 
hadplaci'i]  ;i  Imin  si).t(li  1. 1  -Tuuud  between 
themsi'l\i->  ami  I  In'  i  '.mlnlciates. 

The  black  lioi^,  was  all  1  lial  his  late  master 
called  hirn,anii  he  111  1  ■  ihriii  tiallantly across 
the  Belils  and   di>\vii    ilic   r.iad   which    thev 


Qself  I 
ape. 


the 


until 
me  of 


He  was  in  a  country  entirely  strange 
him.  It  was  quite  open,  and  he  would  be 
liable  to  lie  seen  and  suspected  if  he  kept 
iu  it. 

Afar  to  his  left  lay  a  heavy  belt  of  timber, 
and  thither  he  guided  the  black  horse,  after 
a  brief  rest. 

The  couple  found  Ihe  timber  tn  consist  of 
a  thick  Icn-st.  vhi,.|,  ,va.s  almost  a  l.rakp; 
but  Dick  (lid  nut  lh->iiate  I"  ni-c  the  horse 
into  it  luj  the  liriille  path,  w  hieli  was  the 
only  scinblauee  et  a  luad  that  greeted  liis 
eyes. 

"  This  isn't  the  same  thicket  in  which  we 
were  recaptured,"  ejaculated  Lily,  with  uu- 
feigued  pleasure.  "  I  do  not  see  the  fatal 
gully,  at  any  rate." 

The  sharpshooter  assured  her  that  they 
had  not  re-entered  the  brake  of  unpleasant 
memory,  but  the  wood'  was  gloomy  enough 
for  all  that. 

Not  a  Urearm  was  possessed  by  the  fugi- 
tives, for  the  escape  had  to  be  made  weapon- 
less ;  but  still  there  were  no  grounds  for  de- 
spair. 

Dick  knew  that  the  sympathies  of  the 
negroes  were  with  the  Union  soldier,  and  he 
felt  that  wherever  he  could  And  a  black 
face  it  would  prove  the  face  of  a  friend.  He 
thought  of  Jupe  and  Cudjo,  the  two  run- 
away negroes  who  had  attempted  to  save 
the  fugitives  in  the  brake;  but  he  could  not 
hope  to  encounter  them  again. 

The  sun  had  reached  the  meridian,  and 
was  slowly  declining  toward  the  western 
horizon  when  the  sharpshocjM  r  ami  LiU 
came  suddenly  upon  a  lone  log  eabia  la  luc 
midst  of  tlie  lorest. 

It  was  a  strange  place  for  a  hut,  the  Union- 
ist thought,  and  from  the  first  it  excited  his 
suspicions. 

Lily,  too,  regarded  it  with  feelings  akin  to 
fear,  and  at  her  suggestion,  the  sharpshooter 
drew  rein  and  dismounted,  for  the  purpose 
of  inspecting  it. 

The  girl  saw  him  creeps  forward,  reach 
the  back  of  the  hut,  where  he  listened  with 
his  ear  close  to  the  logs. 

At  last,  to  her  joy,  she  saw  him  beckon 
her  forward,  and  as  she  neared  the  spot, 
Dick  rose  and  met  her. 

"The  old  place,  thank  Heaven,  is  without 
a  tenant,"  he  said.  "  It  has,  doubtless,  been 
the  abode  of  some  colored  woodchuppers. 
Here,  Lily,  we  will  rest  awhile.  1  must  get 
my  bearings  in  this  wood  before  we  can  pio- 
ceed  safely.  This  I  cannot  do  while  1  am 
compelled  to  ride." 

Lily  now  dismounted  and  entered  the 
cabin,  which  was  iu  a  dilapidated  condithm, 
and  not  sufficient  to  keep  out  the  wind  or 
rain. 

The  floor,  which  was  the  earth  itself,  was 
bare,  save  in  one  corner,  where  a  pallet  of 
damp  straw  was  found  by  the  girl,  who  in- 
spected the  interior  iu  the- faint  liiiht  that 
made  its  way  iuside  through  the  iloorw  a\ . 

Sharpshooter  Dick  led  the  l.laelc  he,  >e  to 
the  rear  of  the  but,  wlieie  he  teihei  e,l  him, 
before  he  proceeded  to  cxaiuiue  llieiistii- 
ronndings. 

Although  it  was  only  the  middle  of  th<^ 
afternoon,  the  wood  was  lilled  wiili  shadous 
as  dense  as  those  that  come  at  svniset. 

The  wood  presented  a  gloomy  appearance, 
and  the  stillness  that  prevailed  was  enough 
to  All  a  brave  man  with  melancholy  fore- 
bodings. 

The  sharpshooter  did  not  intend  to  move 
far  from  the  hut  where  he  had  left  Lily. 

It  was  right  that  he  should  inspect  the 
forest  that  surrounded  them,  and  get,  it  pos- 
sible, the  bearings  that  would  take  them 
into  the  Union  lines,  which  he  believed  were 
still  at  t'entreville. 

He  had  proceeded  but  a  few  rods  from  the 
cabin,  a  tigiu'e  rose  from  l>ehiud  a  fallen 
tree,  and  ran  off  as  fast  as  the  limbs  of  a  man 
could  carry  it. 

The  Unionist  had  recognized  it  as  a  negro; 
but  he  could  not  <  onvince  himself  that  the 
darky  had  seen  him. 

"That's  a  singular  caper,"  he  said,  half 
aloud  to  himself.     "  I  am  sure   the  black  did 


not  see  me.    Then,  why  did  he  run  away  ?" 

While  mentally  debating  this  question, 
the  shai-pshooter  was  suiiirised  to  see  the 
darky  couie  back,  and  as  be  neared  him  he 
noticed  that  fright  sat  enthroned  on  his 
face. 

All  at  once  the  darky  halted  not  more 
than  six  feet  f  rosn  Dick,  who  had  sought  the 
shelter  of  a  tree. 

He  was  panting  like  a  chased  deer,  or  like 
a  fugitive  whose  pursuers  are  hot  on  his 
track. 

"  Fo'  de  lub  o'  mercy  !  dey  am  after  Jupe 
dis  time!"  exclaimed  the  negro.  "Dese  ole 
earshab  heard  de  doprs  afn',  an'  dey  knowiie 
step  ob  de  nigirer  Ininters  oli  N'irsinny.  No 
use  to  go  back  to  ih'  eahiii  noH  atter  de  i  ille 
in  de  loft,  In'  it  oiilv  k.'ep  .Inpe  tr(nii  run- 
ning fast.  Ilini  Ul  ("lenllegii,  an' trust  to  bis 
feet,  an    to  ,le  Lord!" 

It  \i;i-  sh  irp-hooter  Dick's  intention  to 
dc'laiii  lie  ruii.nvay  slaves  whom  hehad  rec- 
ogiii/ed  as  one  of  the  two  who  had  fought 
wilh  him  in  the  fatal  gully;  but  at  the  con- 
elM>ion  (.1  Ins  woi-dshe  bounded  away,   and 


the  darkv  had  heard  a  lot 


isalo 


comes  the 
is  hunted 
[  bi'ake  to 


Is  of  I 


to  wait  long,    for   the 
n  voices  came  from  the  direc- 
eled  to  the  lonely  cabin  some 
distance  in  his  rear. 

"They  are  not  Jupe's  hunters,  but  mine  1" 
he  exclaimed,  starting  back,  and  the  next 
moment  he  was  bounding  toward  the  hut. 

"Where  are  you,  Lily/"  he  asked,  as  he 
sprung  inside. 

"Here,  Dick;  but  the  horse— the " 

"Gone?" 

"  Yes !  A  negro  sprung  upon  him  like  a 
tisrer  fi-om  the  biisbes,  (.\it  the  i-ein,  and  rode 


"Jupe  lias  relieved  us  of  our  swiftest  mode 
of  travel.  We  are  almost  in  the  grasp  of  our 
hunters.  Major  Terapletou  is  not  letting  a 
spear  of  grass  grow  inider  his  feet.  I  feai- 
he  is  upon  us,  but  if  the  runaway  darky  did 
not  lie,  we  are  not  defeuseless." 

Lily  could  not  comi)rehend  the  mouutain- 
ee7-s  meaning,  not  even  when  she  saw  him 
spring  away  and  begin  to  clamber  by  means 
of  the  rough  logs  to  the  loft  of  the  old  cabin. 

He  presently  rejoined  her,  holding  in  his 
hand  a  rifle  and  a  belt  supplied  with  cap  and 


it  repi'ess  a  cry  of  delight, 
ou  they  were  up  there,  Dick  ?" 

t  us  say,  Lil,"  he  replied,  as  he 
.xaiuine  the  gun,  to  discover 
lied  and  iirimed.     "lam   now 


dlncjtfa 


him." 

With  the  rifle  cocked,  the  hunted  sharp- 
shooter peered  cautiously  from  the  cabiu. 

lie  knew  that  the  persons  whose  voices  he 
had  heard  could  not  l)e  far  away,  but  as  he 
eonlil  not  sei'  them,  bis  face  bef:an  to  assume 
a    iui//.led   expression,  and   he   lowered   the 


I'ith 


L-rushed    skull 


and 


death 


"Now  bring  on  the  rest  of  your  man- 
huntersT'he  exclaimed,  looking  forward 
with  eyes  full  of  defiance.  "  1  wish  souie  of 
my  human  trackers  would  put  in  an  appear- 
ance. Dick  Gnswold  is  ready  for  the  fray, 
gentlemen  !" 

As  it  in  answer  to  his  challenge,  the  loud 
voice  of  a  man  rang  through  the  wood  : 

"  Come  on,  bnys.    They  can't  be  farahead. 


'H 


for  didn't  you  hear  the  dog  a  minute  ago  i" 
The  next  instant  the  mounted  figures  of  a 

white  man  and  three   negroes  appeared  in 

sight  directly  in  front  of  the  cabin. 
Sharpshooter  Dick  again  cocked  the  rifle- 
"It  is  the  owner  of  the  black  horse  that 

Jupe  has  taken,"  he  said,  over  his  shoulder 

to  Lily.    "His   business  here  concerns   us, 

girl." 
"Dar's  de  ole  cabin,  massa!"  exclaimed 

one  of  the  negroes  at  this  juncture 
"Don't    I   see   it?    Wheu   did   I  lose   m; 

sight?"    was  the  harsh    rejoinder.     "We' 

search  it,  of  course." 
"You  will  do  nothin'  of  the  kind 

tereil  Dick,   as  he  threw   his  body 


"Halt!  all  of  you!"  he  exclaimed.  "You 
nei-d  not  search  thisshanty  for  lam  here,  but 
the  black  horse  is  not.  I  don't  hold  Kill- 
buck  iu  my  hands,  but  I  reckon  I  know  how 
to  use  the  rifle  I  do  'hold  !'  " 

There  was  a  moment  of  silence. 

The  astonished  farmer  staited  back,  and 
his  sable  escort  seerned  to  have  turned  a 
shade  lighter. 

"My  horse — gone  ?"  finally  stammered  the 
Virginian.  "I  don't  believe  a  word  of  it! 
You  have  secreted  him  somewhere — in  that 
very  cabin,  maybe.  Stand  aside  if  you're 
an  honest  man,  and  let  us  search  it." 

"  Not  if  Dick  Griswold  knows  himself," 
was  the  answer,  as  tlie  rille  ciept  to  the 
er.     "  1  mean  business, 


■s    lie 


head !" 

"You  wouldn't  do  that?"  was  the  ejacu- 
lation that  followed  the  threat. 

"Jes' try  me  an' see!  Come  on  an'  share 
the  fate  of  the  bloodhound  on  yer  right." 

The  negroes  were  ready  to  fly  from  the 
Unionist's  rifle ;  but  the  owner  of  the  lost 
horse  hesitated  in  the  face  of  the  fat.e  that 
menaced  his  life. 


CHAPTER  XX. 

THE  ROAD    TO  SAFETY. 

SbnrpslinolcvDick   was   calm,  but   full  of 

He  knew  that  the  maddened  loser  of  the 
black  hnr.se,  and  his  giant  negroes,  were  suf- 
Heent  to  ovei'iiower  hlui  if  once  admitted  to 
tbeeabiii.  ami  he  hail  formed  the  resolution, 
therefore,  that    Ihev   should   never  entsf  it 


sud- 


"1    don 

t  eare  if  it  is  .1  elf  Davis !"  retorted 

Dick.     "1 

ve  diawna  bead  ou  ver  nozziu  all 

an'    111    iiroieeil    to  'bore   it   in  a 

'"""('■mile! 

\\'l'',sJ,'"l'.eu'i''',"Vle      riliouer     -Wdll 

shoot!'  .-'; 

id  one   of    1  he  frinhieiieil  negroes. 

,1  a    head    what    ni.istnt   be  filled 

wid"leai'l." 

We  km  liml  dc  black  boss  to-mor- 

ssl 1   ill  dc  bluecoat's  eye,  sar- 

tin." 

"All'    si 

oot   in   iiiv   finger,"  grated  Dick, 

eai.l    the   last   sentem-e.     "What 

ar'  ye  -oi 

1     to   ilo.   sipare?    The  hull  thing 

"w'l'i!;'t'il'l 

i  the  \ir,i:iiiiando? 

.illsl   wl, 

1  thon-anils  ill  his  situation  would 

have  lion. 

"Well  ■• 

hi'"-a'i'il,   a'l'li Ire' sing  the   sharp- 

shooter,   ■ 

il  \eii  h:n-eii"t  uot  my  horse " 

"Ibave 

1  i;  an'  thai  s    the  end  of  it!     But 

on  to  slioot  you  on  gineral  princi- 

pies,  siniii 

^"boli't. 

sir!     Let   me    live    tn    r..le    that 

horse  a -a 

1  — the   best  animal  in  this  state." 

"  I  b'lie 

el  wdl,  but  make   :s  ei'self  scarce. 

If  t  ;;et  V. 

11  iu  range  again,  bless  inc.  s.iuire. 

if    1    lion' 

;;ive  my  shootin'   qualities    full 

id  insolence  the  Virginian 
pleadings.  The  persuasion 
is  wonderful,  and  Dick  had 
of  seeing  the  farmer  and  his 
way     with     the    cabin   un- 


bearts  of  the 
niself,  for  they 
isier  elso>vhere 


"We'have  no  bnrsi"-  now,"  said  the  girl. 
"  O"!'  jnuniey  henceforth  must  be  necessar- 
ily slow,  but  we  have  escaped  agreatdan- 

"May  we  run  our  heads  into  no  other,"  re- 
plied Dick. 


20 


THE   vv  .-^-.  IjIBRAUY 


.,        rho  held 

the  bridle  o£  a  horse  in  his  haw 

'It  smemassa— Pomp!"  said  the  hlack, 
in  tones  that  jaused  the  sharpshooter  to 
lower  the  gun  he  had  thrust  into  the  darky's 
face.  "I'se  heiili  ti)  help  you  on  to  de  blue- 
iioatarmy.  Dmis  h  ln-ap  ob  roads  froo  dis 
yi-r  Wdoifs,  :iii'  iiirl\  .iiif's  di'  rifflit  way.  We 
b'lmi;,' to  .M:i>:i  i,.\vis  -liirii  what  war  heah 
awliih-ai:..;  :,nl  »  ,■  ,iu„t  lik,-  .1h  new  flag 
wh;ll  di'  Si.nlhilN  ih'(.|.Ii'  Ii;i1.   raised;   de  ole 

"li'^Mi^iii    h,    li,',' suid    Hick.     "Where  is 


head,  and  his  clothes  were  wofuUy  dusty. 
He  looked  very  unlike  a  member  ol  the 
judicial  persuasion. 

"I'd  like  to  know  how  tliat  IVllow  ;iot  | 
away  from  the  rebels,"  s;iia  tlio  jiid^.-,  lo 
those  around  him,  as  t ho  slKiipsliooior  aod  [ 
Lilyrodeon.  "They  Ija.l  imi]  la.-l  I'Uoimh 
when  I  saw  him  last,  i'loy  liboiatod  mo 
out  of  respect  for  tlio   jiomiioh  1  oooi]|.ioii. 

It  would  have  beeu   a  torn tiisn-   il  iljos 

had  tJlkeu  me,  a  non-ooini.aianl,  lo  i;i<  ii- 
moud.    It  would  hav  mod  luy 


ihr 


beli 


ipo; 


«d 


clad  in  uniform  of   any    kind,   though    he 
carried  a  long  barrelled  rifle  in  his  hands. 

His  lace  was  turned  anxiously  toward 
(Vniiovilloas  if  lie  was  expecting  some  per- 

A  pale  muou  was  sailing  serenely  through 
tlioskN,  ami  a  li-lit  la  ooze  stirred  the  long 
l.laok  "hails  ,,f  til.-  watoUer's  mustache. 

.\ll  ai  ..iioo  h.  stalled,  and  leaned  eagerly 
foi  «  aid  as  I  h  c  a  a;  h  certain  sounds  had  struck 
hisoii.;   lion   iiio  noise  of  hoofs  was  dis- 


tliepalh. 

Uick  saw  the  twinkling  stars  fai'  overhead 
whenever  the  forest  opened,  and  came  to 
the  conclusion  that  they  were  traveling  in  a 
nortlu^asterly  direction. 

"Heah  we  is.  massa,"  .'»aid  the  negro  at 
last,  halting  on  the  edge  of  the  wood,  and 
on  a  spot  from  wliem-c  Dick  and  Lily  could 
see  the  vast  eamipy  of  heaven   studded  witli 


do 


dc  girl— do 


Thesharpslmnlordid  noi  i  ol  mm- llio  piul- 
fered  gilt,  imr  liid  ho  slop  lo  ask  lom-  I'oiiip 
would  explain  tlie  loss  of  his  li.uso  to  Ijis 
master.  He  sprung  upon  the  steed's  back 
and  drew  Lily  up  after  him. 

"Now  fo'   dc   d'rectious,"   continued  the 

negro.    "  What  you  may  forgit,  Massa  Dick, 

'  '     '    'ailv  I  mean— will  remember." 

ivo'oo.'dod,  and  mapped  out  the 
1  M\  olod  by  t  he  sharpshooter  and 

mil,  illiterate  language  he  sue- 
I  .no  his  directions  plain,  and 
I     know  that  he  had  made  hiin- 


1  at  parting.  "De 
we  men  am  doin' 
ling,  when  we  ain't 

)le  hand  with  grati- 
tlie  slave  good-hy, 
the    new  horse  was 

•d    that    they    were 


pretty  iniioh 
doin'  sninliii  • 


ille. 


I'here  he  is!  Arrest  him!"  exolaiiiiod  a 
hhy  little  man,  springing  suddenly  to 
eet  on  top  of  an  army  wagon  w  liioli  »  as 
'■ering  over  the  road  between  (oulr.- 
'  aiur.Moxamliia  oaiiy  the  following 
.  •' lies  iho  \  iilaiii  llial  dosirted  me  on 
held   id    l.aiilo.     -J'wio,'   ho  did  it.     Why 


ty 


in  to  which 
loud  laugh, 
ated  by  the 


■ItGenoi 
•ry    man 


)   lo    Ihc 

couclu- 
,  chance 
1.  The  gov- 
uds,  and  it  is 
a  sample  of 
lere.      Uo    to 


Jam,  ,,aidlu  iofslhau  loii  davs  Jolll)a\is 
and  all  ins  lolloweis  will  be  suiug  fur  mercy. 
Try  it,  judge.  Think  of  the  blood  and  lives 
it  would  save!" 

The  look  which  the  judge  gave  the  soldier 
cannot  be  described. 

It  was  enough  to  wither  him  and  send 
him  from  the  wagon  a  corpse ;  but  he  actu- 

Thoroughly  disgusted  with  the  reception 
of  his  narrative,  iho  judge  turned  away  and 
groaned. 

"Try  the  plan,  judge,"  was  the  soldier's 
parting  shot.  "  It's  a  gold  mine  for  you.  I 
dou't  charge  anything  tor  my  advice." 


All  readers  of  history  know  that  the  flight 
of  the  Union  army  from  the  disastrous  held 
of  Bull  Kuu  wasuot  checked  until  the  major 
part  of  the  fugitives  had  reached  Washiug- 

■riien  it  was  that  ti.-iioral  .Mo.  doiiaii  was 
.■all.-d  to  the  head  of  tii.'  amp,  ,  and  llo-  ua  I- 
1. ml  McDowell,  who  ha. I  l..nLiil  ash.  a  h.- 
ooiila  the  unfortunate  b.aU.',  was  assiizn.-.l 
to  a  subordiuate  position  under  the  new 
chief. 

A  new  army  rose  phcenix-like  from  the 
wreck  of  the  old  one  on  the  banks  of  the 
Potomac,  antl  the  couhdeuce  of  the  nation 
was  gradually  restoied. 

As  the  days  wore  on,  the  Federal  govern- 
ment became  aware  that  the  Confederacy 
had  a  number  uf  sliiewd  spies  in  Washing- 
ton- |..  ..0,.  1.  loi  o,  ,i,in..  i|  .la.aal  secrets  and 
lia.t    1        :     i    ,  i    .  ,      I      .  d.iiuioud,  where 


lo,  thar!"  he  suddenly  exclaimed,  as 
ped  into  the  middle  of  the  road, 
inouuled  individual  uttered  an    ex- 
11)11  of   impatience,   and    reluctantly 
in  his  steed. 

at  do  you  want  with  me?"    he  de- 
I.      "I    thought    this    was    a    public 


Dismount:  ' 

The  last  word  was  spoken  in  an  imper- 
ative tone. 

"  1  am  a  private  citizen,"  said  the  man 
on  horseback,  hesitating.  "  My  name  is 
Jacksou." 

"You'd  look  pretty  if  I  prove  it  wasn't, 
wouldn't  you?"  retorted  the  other.  "An" 
I'm  goin'  to  prove  it,  too.    You  make  a  good- 


far 


■;   bi 
a  long 


nil.'  was  looking  sternly  into  his  face. 

■  I  h.ilil  a  gun  that's  almost  old  Killbuck's 
e.iual.  I  never  got  the  trusty  old  shootin' 
iron  l.aok  since  1  happened  to  lose  it  at  Bull 
Itun  ;  but  the  one  I  picked  up  has  done  some 
uncommon  good  work,  anyhow.  Git  down, 
Melville.  I  haven't  seen  you  fur  some 
time." 
The  identity  of  the  man  thus  stopped  was 


est  a 


hisi 


imre  of  our  v 
well-to-do    Yi 


The  ta.t  that  hks  horse's  head  was  turned 
towanl  lii.hiiiond  was  quite  enough  to  ex- 
eit.'  sii~|,i,  i..ii,  and  the  hour  was  certain  to 

■•(ins..  v..u:'  he  mentally  ejaculated, 
madly  eying  the  man  in  the  mad.  "You 
are  liiy  evil  genius,  Sliai'iisho.it.a-  Dick,  i 
wish  to  Heaven  JS.ain .  f.'ai.l  had  kept  his 
promise,  and  made  short  \\..ak.d  you.  Not 
far  from  here  you  st..pi..'.i  me  once  before, 
aii.l  i-obi.ed  111.'  ot  iin-  .lispatches.  Now  you 
play  til.' sail 1.1  .nam.' a.^aiu  !" 

lii.l  .M.-h  iU.'  Hai.'  Hunk  of  Nettie  Knox's 
dr.-aiii  at  thai  no. in. 'id  :' 

(, .nil  ..111. '.I  b^  Ihai  sharpshooter's  rifle, 
o\.r  will,  h  th.'  ..wii.i-  sternly  looked,  the 
y..iii!jA  ( 'oid.'il.  ral.-  siiHi'iily  dismounted  and 

■'■'w.l'l,  lam  Urn:  '  li. -said  to  Dick.  "What 


\  hose   arrest 


■'.v.. I  mii.h  ol  anything,  only  take  you  to 
a  j.la.  .' w  h.'i .  i  llniik  you're  wanted,"  was 
ther.'plv  thai  went  lilie  a  bolt  of  doom  to 
Melville's  heart. 

For  a  brief  time  he  stood  bewildered  in  the 

larpshc 
seemed 


liiiou.sand  times  if  I  had 
i..rvesotaChubb!  Oh, 
Shooter  Dick,  I  will  have 
of  the  law   if  you   have 


Und  nie  111.1.-1  aii\uli.'i.'  » li.ii  you  get  to 
town.  li\  .l.'li..>..phat  ;  Ini  ^ilad  to  hear 
that  yer  n.'-i'v.',-  ai.-  all  ik  K.  You  haven't 
struck  a  b.iot  sl.ni'  yet,  1  s..-:  ' 

The  redoubtable  Chubb  was  still  in  his 
stocking-feet,  which  were  the  worse  for 
wear.      He  had  a    dilapidated    hat   on    his 


li.T  li.arl  was  s.i.l,  lor  she  knew  that  lie  had 
not  been  wrongfully  accused. 

Captain  Constance,  her  loyal  lover,  sus- 
pected as  much— ay,  more;  he  had  reason  to 
believe  that  Ducroy's  was  a  sort  of  head- 
quarteis  for  Confederate  spies ;  yet,  for 
Nettie'a  sake,  he  did  not  unseal  bis  lips. 

One  night,  not  long  alter  the  n-organiza- 
tiou  ot  the  army  ol  the  I'utuiuac,  a  man 
might  have  beeu  seen  standing  near  the  road 
that  led  from  Centrevdle  toward  Manassas. 
He  could  not  be  a  sentinel,  for  he  was  not 


"  I'hat  s  a  hard  fant!"  exclaimed  Sharp- 
sli....t.  1-  Dick,  as  Melville  paused.  "Any 
10..I  knows  that,  dou't  tell  it  to  me.  I  don't 
«aid  asp.'.-.h.  I'vegot  what  I  did  want— a 
man  oall.'.l  .M.'hille  Dare." 

■■  I  am  i.a.lv  to  give  up  everything  I 
<aii\,'  sai.l  Aielville.  "The  few  papers  1 
hA\i:  ou  my  person  will  satisfy  the  Federal 
commander." 

"No!  he  wants  i/o«.'" 

Melville  shrunk  back ;  the  game  was  up. 

For  a  moment  he  looked  like  a  man  abo«t 
to  take  a  desperate  step;  he  seemed  on 
the  eve  of  making  a  bold  dash  for  liberty. 

"If  you  don't  want  to  go  back  with  me 
you  kin  ruu  away,"  said  Dick;  but  you  will 
have  to  take  all  risks." 

That  was  enough.    Melville  did  not  stir. 

"  As  you  don't  want  to  run-about  face!" 


THE  WAR  LIBRARY. 


21 


said  the  sharpshooter,  the  next  moment. 
"  I'll  take  care  of  the  horse." 

Melville  obeyed  the  command ;  and,  a 
minute  later,  he  was  walking  crestfallen  to- 
ward Oentreville. 

The  sharpshooter  did  not  stop  in  the  town 
with  his  prize,  but  conducted  him  through 
it,  and  a  mile  or  so  beyond  timied  him  over 
to  a  lot  of  mounted  Union  soldiers. 

"I  knowed  you  war  coming  down  the 
road  to-night,"  he  said  to  the  captured  spy. 
"  I  guess  you  an'  yer  pard  hevu't  done  much 
lately  that  I  couldn't  tell  all  about  if  I 
wanted  to.  You'll  have  to  l)e  slyer  than  you 
have  been  if  you  want  Jeff  to  get  all  the 
news." 

Melville  stared  dumfounded  into  Sharp- 
shooter Dick's  face,  but  did  not  reply. 

A  minute  later  he  was  galloping  toward 
the  Potomac  in  the  midst  of  the  mounted 
men,  who  watched  him  narrowly. 

The  sharpshooter  accompanied  the  party, 
but  left  it  when  Washington  was  reached, 
and  rode  away. 

Not  long  afterward  the  figure  of  a  man 
crept  up  a  garden  walk  toward  an  imposing 
edifice.  He  was  presently  joined  there  by 
a  young  girl  who  had  emerged  from  the  man- 
sion. 

"  I  got  him,  Lily,"  said  the  man.  "  It  was 
just  as  easy  as  rolling  off  a  log.  He  was 
dressed  just  as  you  said  he  would  be.  What 
progress  have  you  made  with  the  other 
man?" 


Miss  Nettie  is  still  in  Baltimore;  but  is  ex- 
pected home  to-morrow." 

"And  wliere  is  Duiroy?" 

"At  this  monieut  iu  his  library,  I  believe." 

"The  very  time  to  strike  for  your  rights!" 

The  girl  hesitated. 

"You're  not  afraid,  are  you,  Lil?"  asked 
the  sharpshooter. 

"No;  but " 

"  But  what  ?" 

"He may  deny  all." 

"Let  him,  if  he  dare !  Go  ahead,  and  con- 
front him.  By  Jehosaphat!  I'll  go  with  you. 
He'll  own  up  to  everything,  an'  make  ample 
reparation  tor  the  wrongs  of  the  past,  Lily, 
or  I'll  hand  him  over  to  tlie  men  who  have 
got  his  agent,  Melville  Dare,  ly  this  time." 

Sharpshooter  Dick  and  Lily  Donway 
parted  iu  the  garden. 

The  girl  went,  back  into  the  bouse,  and  the 
Unionist  glauced  toward  the  front  entrance. 

Since  the  battle,  Lily  had  managed  to  be- 
come an  inmate  of  Ducroy's  mansion.  She 
was  working  fur  a  purpose,  and  it  was  she 
who  kept  Diclc  posted  coucerniug  Melville 
Dare's  movements. 

Not  long  after  her  removal  to  the  capital, 
Paul  Rogers,  her  congressional  lover — whose 
work  and  threat  we  have  seen  and  heard  in 
Alexandria— found  her  out  and  persecuted 
her  again  with  his  attentions;  but  she  had 
talked  so  plainly  that  she  hoped  she  had  seen 
the  last  of  him. 

She  was  Sharpshooter  Dick's  betrothed, 
and  a  loyal  girl  beside;  and  she  had  no  notion 
of  deserting  the  mouutaineer  for  oue  whose 
heart  beat  for  the  enemies  of  the  Union,  as 
Paul  Rogers'  heait  undoubtedly  did. 


CHAPTER  XXII. 


soft  light  of  an  elegaut  lamp,  he  was  obliv- 
ious to  everything  save  the  papers  he  was 
examining. 

The  hour  was  growing  late,  as  the  hands 
of  the  clock  behind  him  indicated. 

Oue  half  of  Washington  was  in  bed,  the 
other  portion— that  half  which  nevei'  sleeps 
—was  at  work. 

The  congressman  was  fast  regaiuiug  the 
popidaiity  which  had  been  clouded  by  his 
arrest.  His  treason  could  not  be  proved, 
and  he  had  been  discharged  to  carry  on  new 
schemes  tor  the  advancement  of  the  cause  of 
rebellion. 

He  did  not  hear  the  library  door  open,  nor 
see  the  girlish  figure  that  crossed  the  thresh- 
old and  glided  toward  him. 

Hewas  totally  unaware  that  he  was  notthe 
sole  occupant  of  the  lofty  apartment,  until 
he  heard  his  name  spokeu  athis  elbow,  when 
he  started  and  turned  like  a  guilty  man. 

"Aha!  it  is  you,  Ada  ?"  he  exclaimed,  see- 
ing Lily  Donway,  the  beauty  of  Alexandria, 
athis  side.  "  What  can  I  do  for  you,  my 
girl?" 

Ducroy  swung  his  arm-chair  half  way 
round,  and  looked  up  into  the  determined 
lace  of  his  late  visitor. 

"You  can  do  much  for  rae,"  said  the  loyal 
girl.    "  I  am  here  for  a  purpose.    Let  us  un- 


derstand one  another  from  the  outset.  I  am 
not  Ada  Williams,  but  Lily  Donway.  Ah ! 
you  have  heard  the  name?" 

The  girl  fancied  that  Ducroy  had  started, 
hence  her  cxchimation. 

■' Diiuwav!  lioTiway?"  herepeated. 

"Ahii.-i'  bi.invav,  it  the  name  will  refresh 
your  IlM■lllllr^•.  "  .said  Lily.  "No,  you  have 
not  forgotten  the  well-to-do  farmer  in  Ten- 
nessee, who  invested  in  a  certain  scheme 
which  ruined  him  and  drove  him  to  the 
grave  broken  hearted,  leaving  his  widow  and 
lier  child  to  light  the  world  alone.  You  may 
have  lost  sight  of  the  family  in  your  fight 
for  political  honors,  but  I  am  here  to  say, 
James  Ducroy,  that  one  member  of  that  un- 
fortunate little   household    has   never   lost 


your  bubble,  made  to  burst.  You  wouldn't 
give  the  widow  a  roof  for  her  head,  nor  a 
loaf  of  bread  for  her  orphaned  child  ;  you 
took  everything.  These  are  hard  words,  sir ; 
but  they  are  truth." 

The  congressman,  with  flushed  face,  heard 
the  girl  to  this  pause,  when  he  sprung  up 
with  an  exclamation  of  rage. 

"  So  you  have  crept  into  my  house  under  a 
fictitious  name  for  the  pnrpose  of  teUiug  me 
all  this?"  he  exclaimed.  "I  must  say  that 
you  possess  the  impudence  of  a  La  Motte, 
who  is  the  most  impudent  woman  of  French 
history.  What  do  I  care  about  Abner  Don- 
way  ?  Since  you  have  mentioned  his  name, 
I  believe  I  do  recollect  something  about  the 
transaction  you  refer  to.  But  what  do  I  care 
for  it,  now  ? 

"  He  went  into  the  scheme  of  his  own  free 
will.  If  he  lost,  I  could  not  help  it.  I  don't 
want  anything  more  to  do  with  you.  Leave 
my  house  this  minute,  and  thank  your  stars 
that  I  did  not  turn  you  over  to  the  police." 

"When  atonement  for  the  past  has  been 
made,  I  will  leave  this  house,  not  before!" 
retorted  Lily,  resolutely.  "I  want  back 
the  money  taken  by  your  scheme  from  my 
father.  Y  ou  cannot  give  back  his  anguish, 
nor  his  widow's  tears.    Restore    to    me    to- 


croy ! 

"  I'm  no  fool !"  exclaimed  Ducroy.  "  Yon- 
der is  the  door,  girl.  It  stands  open.  Shall 
I  lead  you  out?" 

He  advanced  upon  her  with  the  last  sen- 
tence. 

Lily  involuntarily  retreated. 

"  Before  you  touch  me,  let  me  say  that 
Melville  Dare  has  been  arrested  as  a  spy  !" 
she  said,  looking  Ducroy  in  the  eye. 

Tlie  congressman  stopped,  and  seemed  to 
gasp  tor  breath. 

Thcl».lt  liad  struck  home. 

"  III-  is  iiciw  in  the  bauds  of  the  Union  au- 
thoritios  in  Wasliington,"  continued  Lily. 
"  You  csiaiifd,  a  lew  days  ago,  because  there 
was  no  couviitiiig  testimony  against  you. 
What  it  I  coul'l,  wiiliin  tlie  next  five  min- 
utes, lay  ou  your  taMe  tlie  dispatches  taken 
from  Melville  haiea  tew  hours  before  Bull 
Ruu?    James  Dueioy,  1  can  do  this!" 

An  ejaculation  of  horror  fell  from  the  con- 
gressman's lips,  and  he  instinctively  turued 
toward  the  door,  as  if  fiight  was  uppermost 
in  his  mind. 

The  next  moment  a  form  rose  before  him, 
and,  with  a  gasp,  he  started  back. 

"  It's  only  me,  Jim  Ducroy — Dick  Gris- 
wold !"  said  the  man  in  the  doorway.  "  I've 
had  the  honor  of  conducting  Melville  Dare 
back  to  Washington.  I  hold  iu  ni  v  band  the 
dispatches  you  sent  to  Beauiv-ai<i-  ti.e  ones 
he  didut  get.  Sit  down  at  \  our  tal'le.  aif 
make  all  the  atonement  you  can  lor  «  roii;;,s 
done  the  Donways.  Write  out  Lily  a  check 
for  ten  thousaud  an'  interest  for — 30U  know 
how  many  years.  Do  that,  and  you  shall 
have  these  papers;  j-efuse,  an'  you  shall 
stand  lief  ore  General  Scott  yet  to-mght,  an'  I 
will  spread  these  papers  out  before  the  old 
veteran.  Take  your  choice,  Jim  Ducroy.  1 
mean  business!" 

The  sharpshooter's  look  was  as  positive  as 
his  tone. 

Driven  to  the  wall,  the  white-faced  plotter 
went  back  to  the  table,  where  he  seated  him- 
self, and  picked  up  a  pen. 

"For  ten  thousand  an'  interest!"  said 
Dick,  threateningly.  "  Calculate  it  correctly, 
too,  or,  by  the  sword  of  Bunker  Hill !  to 
Scott  you  go.  They'll  find  nothing  on 
Melville  to-night  to  criminate  you;  but 
these  dispatches  would  almost  lengthen  yer 
neck.  Watch  him,  Lily.  See  that  he  gives 
you  good  measure."  . 

For  a  moment  the  cornered  politician 
wrote  in  a  mad  way  in  a  bank  book  which 
he  had  produced ;  then  he  tore  the  check 
out,  and  tossed  it  savagely  toward  the  girl. 


"Is  it  right,  Lily?"  asked  the  sharp- 
shooter. 

"It  is  sufficient  atonement  of  the  kind," 
was  the  reply. 

"Thai's  yer  papers,  Jim  !"  and  Dick  threw 
the  captured  dispatches  on  the  table.  "  It  it 
warn't  for  Nettie,  the  loyal  giil  who  actual- 
ly thinks  a  good  deal  of  you,  I'd  drag  you 
liefore  Scott,  anyhow,  an'  let  him  break  up 
this  treason  in  high  places.  Don'tyou  think 
you'd  better  leave  Washington  ?  What  if 
Melville  Dare  should  break  down  au'  give 
the  whole  game  away  ?  You  may  be  arrest- 
ed afore  morning!" 

Ducroy  recoiled  as  the  full  meaning  of  the 
sharpshooter's  last  sentence  flashed  through 
his  mind. 

His  courage  seemed  to  desert  him  all  at 
once. 

He  staggered  to  the  table  and  sank  back 
into  his  arm-chair,  completely  unnerved. 

"Come,  Lily,"  said  Griswold.  "He  has 
done  all  he  can  to  right  the  great  wrong  of 
the  past.  His  days  of  glory  have  ended.  As 
sure  as  Heaven,  if  he  sits  thar  long  he  will 
leave  this  house  for  prison." 

Lily  joined  the  sharpshooter  at  the  door, 
and  the  two  stole  away. 

A  few  minutes  later  the  light  burned  low 
in  the  Ducroy  library,  and  a  man  stole  to- 
ward the  Potomac. 

When  the  sun  gilded  the  eastern  horizon 
the  next  day,  that  man  was  far  beyond  the 
river. 

A  good  horse  was  bearing  him  toward  the 
Confederate  army. 

Need  we  mention  his  name  ? 

A  short  time  after  sunrise  a  squad  of  sol- 
diers filed  into  the  beautiful  court  of  the  well 
known  congressional  mansion  on  F  street. 

The  commander  knocked  at  the  carved 
door  to  be  informed  by  the  colored  servant 
that  James  Ducroy  had  left  the  city. 

The  bird  had  flown,  leaving  behind  him 
Melville  Dare  to  pay  the  penalty  attached  to 
his  crime. 

"Ah!"  exclaimed  Melville,  when  tidings 
of  Ducroy's  flight  were  borne  to  his  narrow 
prison,  "  he  fled  in  the  night,  leaving  me  to 
my  fate.  I  might  have  known  this.  Now  let 
Nettie's  dream  I.e  tullilled." 

Ah,  thedivam  a-ani ! 

Melville  was  irieii  ;nicl  found  guilty  of  be. 
ing  a  s]iy;  but  there  .stepped  between  him 
and  death  the  ^leat  hiuiiauity  of  Abraham 
Lincoln,  ami  he  \vassa\iil  from  the  gallows. 

Instead  of  heiiiic  e.\(  iiileii,  he  was  ordered 
to  be  coiilined  in  Fort  Lafayette,  from  which 
some  mouths  later  lie  was  "released  by  order 
of  the  presiileiit. 

The  dream  was  still  uufulflUed. 

Meauwliile,  Nettie  Kiiox  who  could  not  be 
induced  to  follow  Ducroy  to  the  Confederacy 
had  become  Caiitaiu  Constance's  bride,  and 
had  retuinea  to  Washington. 

Shaipshooter  Dick  had  returned  to  the 
post  of  danger,  and  was  with  the  Army  of 
the  Potomac,  pushing  toward  the  Confeder- 
ate capital. 

A  strange  fate  followed  Melville  Dare. 

Instead  of  avoiding  Ducroy  after  his  ra 
lease,  he  again  fell  into  his  jjower,  played  the 
spy  once  more,  and  was  {igain  apprehended. 

This  time  he  was  unfortunate. 

Tried  by  a  drumhead  court-martial  on  the 
field  of  battle,  he  was  ordered  to  be  executed, 
and  met  his  fate  with  the  courage  of  a  true 
Southern  hero. 

Thus  the  dream  of  loyal  Nettie  was  ful- 
filled at  last. 

Major  Templeton,  whom  Lily  Donway 
cleverly  outwitted,  and  who  never  ceased  to 
think  of  her,  was  killed  by  a  cannon  ball  at 
the  head  of  his  regiment;  but  Judge 
Chubb  remounted  the  bench,  and  still  lives 
to  relate  bow  wondei  fully  composed  hewas 
during  the  hatl  le  ,,f  Hull  Run,  and  through 
the  events  that  l..llowetlit. 

The  war  hick.'  up  ( 'oloiiel  Blood's  kennels, 
and,  his  ocuupatiou  gone,  the  old  fellow 
went  to  Cuba,  where  he  sold  his  dogs  to  the 
planters,  who  put  them  to  the  uses  for  which 
they  were  bred. 

I  need  uot  say  that  Lily  became  Sharp- 
shooter Dick's  boniiie  bride. 

The  inouutaiueer  distinguished  himself  iu 
every  battle  fought  by  the  Army  of  the  Po- 
tomac from  Bull  Run  to  Appomattox.  His 
adventures  would  fill  a  volume;  therefore  wo 
are  not  expected  to  follow  him  through  all. 

Wherever  the  old  flag  waved  there  was 
Dick  Griswold'spost  of  duty. 

James  Ducroy  is  dead. 

It  was  after  the  last  grand  review  in  Wash- 
ington, after  the  collapse  of  the  rebellion, 
that  a  handsome  young  man  entered  old 
Alexandria's  coziest  home  to  greet  a  beauti- 
ful girl. 

"  Some  at  last,  Lily !"  he  exclaimed,  as  he 
caught  her  in  his  arms.    "  It  is  all  over  now. 


THE  WAR  LIBRARY. 


day,  liom  Maiue  to  Texas,  will  wave  but  one 
fla^— the  stars  and  stripes !" 

Here  our  pen  falls  from  ourhand,  and  here 
we  say:  "  Honor  to  the  men  who  brought 
back  our  flag  victorious ;  peace  to  the  ashes 
of  the  comrades  they  left  behind!" 
Ay,  peace  to  all  who  died,  for— 
"  Beneath  the  cypress  and  the  yew 
The  Gray  is  mingled  with  the  Blue." 
[THE   ENI>.] 


Sold    for   a    Soldier. 


A  TRUE  STORY. 


BT   J.    M.    M'l 


In  the  year  1863,  in  connection  with  a  part- 
ner, I  was  engaged  in  the  manufactuir  ;iiiil 
sale  of  wooden  farm  pumps  in  the  branlilu] 
little  city  of  Muscatine,  on  the  banks  oi  thi' 
Mississippi  River,  in  the  state  of  Ioiv;i.  Wi 
manufactured  the  pumps,  and  sold  thiui  at 
wholesale  to  peddlers,  and  also  retained 
many  ourselves,  by  fitting  out  wagons  and 
employing  men  to  travel  the  country,  and 
sell  and  put  them  in  the  wells. 

Some  of  our  teams  fitted  out  at  the  shop 
and  scoured  the  country,  tributary  to  our 
manufactory,  and  when  sold  out,  would  re- 
turn and  get  another  load.  Others  we 
would  send  far  into  the  interior  of  the  coun- 
try, and  ship  the  pumps  to  the  nearest  rail- 
road station,  where  they  would  betaken  by 


move  to  another  locality. 

With  only  one  of  these  salesmen  has  our 
story  to  do.  We  employed  a  smai-t,  ener- 
getic, hard-working,  fine-spoken  young  man 
about  twenty-three  years  old,  to  take  one  of 
our  teams  and  go  to  Montezuma,  in  Powe- 
shiek county,  and  work  the  pump  trade  in 
that  vicinity.  Brooklyn,  on  the  Chicago 
and  Rock  Island  Railroad,  twelve  miles  dis- 

ktaut,  was  the  shipping  point. 
Our  instructions  to  him  were  to  report 
iales,  and  send  the  receipts  every  time  ou 
ordering  a  new  supply.  He  met  with  very 
good  success,  and  reported  piomptly  for 
several  weeks,  and  then  wrote  us  that  he 
could  sell  a  great  many  nioir  i.iuui.s  ilh.^ 
was  allowed  to  take  notes  and  Um- slink  in 
exchange— could  of  ten  trade  lei-  alliieemv 
when  the  farmers  had  no  cash.  We  m  lIciciI 
him  to  sell  on  time  to  good  parties,  and  take 
notes,  and  also  to  trade  for  good  cows,  but 
leave  them  on  the  farm  until  such  time  as 
we  called  for  them. 

It  was  our  intention  to  have  them  gather- 
ed and  shipped  to  Chicago  as  fast  as  we  ob- 
tained car  loads.  The  notes,  we  ordered 
him  to  draw  payable  at  the  Montezuma 
Bank,  and  deposit  there  for  collection,  when 
due.  His  weekly  reports  to  us  hy  httei-  weie 
about  one-third  cash  sales,  alter  a,  dn.  tinu 
expense  account,  aud  balaiK'e  lei-  >iei  1^,  nr 
sold  ou  time.  The  value  of  the  ealtleaii.l 
amount  of  notes  were  always  enumerated, 
aud  the  figures  showed  very  satisfactory  re- 
turns for  our  pumps. 

Thus  matters  went  on  for  several  months, 
and  all  seemed  to  be  going  on  well,  when 
one  morning,  we  received  a  letter  from  Men- 
tezuraa,  saying  that  our  agent  had  li'lt  the 
locality,  aud  under  such  circumstaiiees  as 
would  justify  one  of  our  firm  coming  on  autl 
looking  after  our  interests,  and  in  way  of  re- 
ply, the  first  train  going  west  contained  my- 
self, with  a  deputy  sheriff's  ai)i5ointment  in 
my  ; 


at  JI., 


ertained 


as  tlle  iuliluaey  deepeiieci.  In-  liad  ne{;leuted 
his  business  and  deviated  liis  lime  and  our 
money  to  their  mutual  injoyuieut.  Pres- 
ents, jewelry,  liverv  turiieuts,  visits  of  sev- 
eral days  to  Oacaloesa,  tweuty-Hve  miles 
distant,  to  attend  circuses,  and  expense  of 
horses  and  carriage  during  the  time,  and 
railroad  visits  to  Grinnell  to  see  the  soldiers' 
camp,  as  that  town  was  the  military  head- 
quarters for  that  section,   etc.    In  fact  he 


a  "wind-fall"  from  a  deceased  relative, 
which  probably  was  the  reason  we  were  not 
informed  sooner. 

In  a  very  few  hours  I  found  out  how  mat- 
ters stood.  The  cattle  he  had  driven  to  the 
railroad  station  aud  sold  to  shippers;  the 
notes  had  been  discounted  at  the  bank,  a 


tion,  he,  as  our  agent,  had  no  difn- 
culty  in  doing.  The  last  three  shipments  he 
had  sold  at  wholesale,  and  had  given  ficti- 
tious reports  to  us.  In  fact,  he  had  made  a 
complete  clear-up,  and  had  taken  our  team 
and  left. 

I  was  quite  surprised  in  talking  with  the 
villagers  to  see  how  much  sympathy  was 
manifested  for  him  in  spite  of  the  plain  evi- 
dence of  his  guilt. 

They  said : 

"  Jim  was  a  whole-souled,  generous,  good 
fellow,  auyhow,  and  had  been  the  life  of  the 
burg." 

Some  of  them  were  loath  to  give  me  any 
information  they  might  possess  as  to  his  do- 
ings or  probable  whereabouts. 

I  attributed  this  sympathy  to  his  lavish 
generosity  in  use  of  money,  and  his  winsome, 
pleasaul  and  agreeable  ways. 

Altheui^h  he  had  three  days  the  start,  I 
(leieruiiiied  to  track  him  to  his  lair  if  possi- 
ble, and,  ihiukiug  I  might  get  some  clew  to 
liis  \vliereal..iuts,  I  visited  his  "girl;"  but 
eeuld  1  lieil  ii,ilhing  from  her. 

sii.'  ileiiii'd  liiiowiiu; anything  of  his  inten- 
lieiis,  and  el  led  bitterly  at  the  knowledge  of 
bis  guilt. 

He  had  told  her  that  lie  made  his  "  raise  " 
from  a  deceased  relative  in  St.  Louis. 

While  she  was  out  of  the  room  I  managed 
to  slip  into  my  pocket  his  photograph,  which 
I  extracted  from  her  album,  aud  which  was 
of  assistance  to  me  afterward. 

No  one  could,  or  would,  give  me  any 
clew  to  start  upon,  but  I  concluded  he  had 
gone  west,  so  I  went  to  Grinnell  and  struck 
his  trail. 

I  found  the  horses  at  a  livery  stable, 
where  he  had  left  them,  and  had  told  the 
keeper  that  he  would  call  for  them  in  a  few 
days. 

I  could  not  find  out  that  he  had  attempted 
to  sell  them,  at  which  I  was  somewhat  sur- 
prised. 

1  paid  the  livery  bill,  and  sent  word  back 
home  for  another  man  to  come  out  and 
continue  business  with  it  in  the  same  terri- 
tory. 

There  were  two  hotels  in  Grinnell  at  that 
time,  and  I  examined  the  registers,  but  could 
not  find  his  name  on  either;  but,  ou  ques- 
tioning the  landlords  aud  showing  the  pho- 
tograph, one  of  them  recognized  it,  and  said 
the  man  had  taken  meals  there,  paid  his  bill, 
and  had  asked  what  time  the  train  went 
east,  as  he  was  going  ou  it;  but  he  had  no- 
ticed him  in  town  a  few  hours  after  its  de- 
parture. 

From  this  slight  information  I  was  more 
strongly  inclined  than  ever  to  believe  that 
he  had  gone  west,  and  determined  to  follow 
that  way. 

Grinnell,  at  the  time,  was  the  terminus  of 
the  railroad,  and  stages  ran  from  there  to 
Des  Moines,  and  on  through  to  Omaha, 

I  had  to  wait  several  hours  for  thi'  iiHom- 
ing  stage  before  I  could  start,  and,  when  it 
arrived,  I  immediately  questioned  the  driver 
in  regard  to  his  passengers  on  his  last  trip 
out. 

I  showed  the  photo  again,  aud  he  immedi- 
ately told  me  that  the  chap  had  taken  pas- 
sage from  t  lie  lirst  way  station,  which  was 
ten  miles  wi-st. 

My  mail  had  1al;i-ii  this  precaution  so  as 
not  to  hiiN  e  his  iiaijie  reu'istered  on  the  dupli- 


to  Des  iluiues. 

On  arriving  at  Des  Moines,  I  went  from 
one  hotel  to  another  hunting  for  my  man, 
and  finally  found  his  handwriting,  which  I 
knew  full  well,  but  giving  an  assumed 
name. 

The  clerk  assured  me  that  he  had  taken 
stage  passage  to  Omaha  two  days  before. 

The  first  stage  west  found  me  bound  for 
Omaha,  where  I  arrived  in  due  time,  and 
soon  found  the  same  signature  on  the  hotel 
register. 

On  questioning  the  landlord,  he  told  me 
the  young  man  had  stayed  over  night,  but 
next  morning  told  him  to  take  care  of  his 
valise,  as  he  was  going  down  to  Plattsmouth, 
and  would  be  back  ne.xt  day  in  time  to 
take  the  stage  for  Denver  the  following 
morning. 

I  was  pretty  snre  of  my  game  now,  and 
made  preparations  to  arrest  him. 

I  securwl  the  services  of  the  deputy  sheriff, 
to  be  on  hand  when  the  stage  was  due  from 
Plattsmouth,  which  was  about  eight  o'clock 
at  night. 

I  posted  myself  on  the  hotel  porch,  and  in 
I  due  time  the  coach  lantern  could  be  seen 
throwing  out  its  rays  as  the  wheels  came 


rattling  up,  and  stopped  in  front  of  the 
hotel. 

I  kept  myself  well  in  the  dark,  but  so  as  to 
see  the  passengers  as  they  alighted. 

Soon  my  man  sprung  out,  bounded  up  the 
steps,  and  entered  the  office  and  bar-room. 

I  told  the  deputy  sheriff  to  stand  leady  for 
business  at  the  hotel  door,  aud  while  Jim 
was  registering  I  walked  softly  up  aud  leaned 
my  elbow  on  the  counter,  and  rested  my 
cheek  on  my  hands  within  a  few  inches  of 
his  face. 

After  registering  he  threw  down  the  pen, 
turned,  and  met  my  gaze  square  in  his  eyes. 
I  suppose  he  was  surprised- in  fact,  dum- 
founded;  but  he  scarcely  took  time  to  show 
it  before  he  glanced  around  to  see  if  I  had 
any  assistance,  then  gave  a  leap  for  the  door, 
and  ran  fair  and  square  into  the  arms  of  the 
dei^uty,  who  threw  one  arm  around  his 
waist,"iiud  with  the  other  at  right  angles 
placed  a  eot'ked  revolver  at  his  left  ear. 

The  deputy  pushed  him  back  into  the  of- 
fice, let  go  his  grip,  and  while  I  covered  him 
with  a  small  "Smith  and  Wesson,"  he  was 
safely  handcuffed. 

As  soon  as  he  could  speak  he  said  to  me: 

"  My  God !  I  didn't  expect  you,  or  I  never 
should  have  come  back  here!" 

I  told  him  I  was  glad  he  did,  as  it  had  saved 
me  following  him  further. 

He  was  lodged  in  jail  that  night,  and  next 
morning,  with  him  handcuffed,  I  took  the 
stage  on  the  back  track. 

The  horror  of  his  situation  filled  his 
thoughts  at  times,  aud  he  would  look  down 
and  cry  like  a  child. 

He  said  he  had  not  the  least  idea  of  de- 
fraiidiiiu"  lis,  luit  had  spent  moremoney  than 
he  hail  lliein;lit:  and,  when  he  figured  up 
and  found  how  much  he  was  behind,  the 
devil  get  around  him  and  persuaded  him  to 
take  it  all  and  leave  the  country. 

There  being  no  jail  in  Montezuma,  I 
stopped  at  Oskaloosa,  and  after  a  prelimin- 
ary examination  my  prisoner  was  sent  to 
jail  to  await  his  trial  before  the  grand  jury, 
which  could  not  take  place  until  the  sitting 
of  the  district  court,  in  three  weeks. 

I  left  him  in  prison  to  put  in  his  time  as 
best  he  could,  and  went  home,  with  the  un- 
derstanding that  I  would  be  telegraphed  for 
when  his  case  was  called. 

In  due  time  I  received  a  telegram  that  the 
case  would  be  called  the  following  day  at 
three  o'clock. 

I  took  the  morning  train,  so  as  to  be  on 
hand  to  appear  against  him. 

The  previous  night  there  had  been  a  heavy 
snow  storm,  and  theroad  lieing  badly  block- 
aded, the  train  into  Oslialooa  was  live  hours 
behind  time,  and  wliiii  111.'  trial  was  c-alled, 
■■  luis.uier,  he 
ly,  and  walked 


■Hurt  to   recapture 

1  jiretty  thoroughly 
1  that  he  had  left. 
y  his  girl  a  visitthi- 
I'lerse  and  buggy,  1 
fwr  Meiiiiziiuia,  which  was  on  a. 

al  the  only  iiiitel  after  dark,  and 
III  (la  elrik  Ihat  Jim  had  taken 
tliei c,  and  it  he  was  still  in  town 
>liablvnud  him  across  the  square. 
where  he  had  formerly  made  his 


Isti]i|ied  in,  luiwever,  and  called  for  a  ci- 
gar, and  \\liile  liLThtiug  it  heard  a  party 
playiiii;  :ii  ,  aid>  in  aback  room,  with  the 
doer  ^.lit^hlly   ;ijar. 

It  leek  iii'e  eiily  a  moment  to  glance  at  the 
gron).,  and  ^[n.\  ,iirn  engaged  in  the  game. 

Feaiiii.i;  le  make  myself  known  to  him 
with' Hit  authority  or  assistance,  I  went  out, 
huuted  up  the  sheriff',  and  told  him  to  come 
ovei  to  the  saloon  and  arrest  Jim. 

"  All  right,  sir,"  said  he;  "  I'll  have  to  do 
my  dutv,  though  Jim's  a  good  fellow,  and  I 
believclt's  the  lirst  crooked  thing  he  ever 
was  guilty  of." 

We  went  over. 

I  stayed  out  at  the  door  while  the  sheriff 
went  in  and  told  Jim  he  wanted  him. 

They  came  out,  aud  when  Jim  saw  me  he 
said : 

"  Well,  I'm  in  your  clutches  again.  I  might 
have  kept  away  from  here  and  got  out  of  the 
country,  but  I  just  didn't  care  to  try  it 
asraiu,  and  would  rather  stand  my  fate  than 
to  roam  among  strangers  with  the  brand  of 
Cain  upon  me,  with  the  thought  that  1  was 
a  fugitive  from  justice.  So  you  can  go  ahead 


no  one  appearing 
was  discharged    fi 

(til 

and  d'i 

;-,ppo'in"'l''t 

"li 

him. 
Afti 

rhm.tiii-th 

.1 

and  m 
first  tl 

ost  likely  w. 

;!;. 

THE  WAR  LIBRARY. 


23 


and  do  what  you  will  with  me.  I'm  sick  and 
tired  of  this^  business,  and  it  matters  little 
what  becometT  of  me.  But,"  he  continued, 
wildly,  "  I  do  hate  awfully  to  have  to 
go  bai-k  to  that  jail  at  Oskaloosa.  I've  spent 
your  money  ;  but,  if  I  ei>u Id  have  a  chance, 
I'd  work  faiUifuUy  and  honestly  to  make  up 
every  cent  you'vr  lost.  I'll  ro  for  a  substitute 
— anythuiK,  so  that  1  can  rid  myself  of  this 
eternuf  misery  of  eonscieuce  !" 
I  really  pitied   the  young  man,  and  told 

'  him  I  was  sorry  that  the  tronlile  liad  ever 
happened,  Init"!  could  offer  him  no  cleraen- 
cy,  since  we  had  been  to  so  much  loss,  and 
also  expense  in  catchins  him.  I  told  tlie 
sheriff  to  take  chaifie   of   him   for  the  nijilit, 

,       and  I  would  see  to  him  in  the  mornniK. 

'  After  I  had  retired  I  thought  of  what  Jim 

had  said  about  his  going  as  a  substitute,  and 
1  revolved  in  my  mind  whether  it  would  uot 
be  money  for  us  to  sell  him,  rather  than  to 
prosecute. 

About  tliis  time  there  had  been  a  call  for 
more  one  year  tioops  by  cunscrirition.  The 
draft  had 'be.  11  ma. ic.  ami    laii;..   ^UMls   were 

-^  being  adverli.-iil  ari.l  jiail  1mi  Mil.stitiites. 
Tile  dratted  m.iL  »  ,  iv  , ,  u.i, /,v..i,m  ,lat  Grin- 
liel,  and  sul.stitnlcs  wcic  scarce  1  knew 
there  wiiul.l  lie  no  .lilli.ullv  in  selling  niv 
man,  ami  as  he  hail  projM.-ril  g,.ing,    1   inacTc 

di-ive'..vei'  to  (iriiuicll  w  itli  him  aTiii  sell  him 
into  the  service. 

He  was  only  too  glad  to  go,  and  in  less 
than  au  hour  I  had  him  bargained  off  for 
six  himdred  dollars,  the  money  to  be  paid  to 
me  as  soon  as  he  was  sworn  into  the  service, 
which  had  to  be  done  at  Camp  McClellau,  iu 
Davenport. 

company  with   the  conscript    and    my 


ig  prisom 


1  took  the 


for  Davei] 


the  conscili.t   got 

lis   ivloaso    pajioi-s,  I  got 

six  hundred    d.. liars 

taking  a  soldiers  1 

inch   with  Jiin',    1  bade 

him  good-by  and  w 

•nt  home. 

In  a  short  time  1  s 

old  my  interest  iu  the 

pump  factory  and  c 

igaged  in  the  mercantile 

business.        " 

Ouedav,  aliiK.st  a 

>-car  from   the  date  of 

thati-iiii^tiiiout,  K\ 

o  should  walk  into  my 

store  hut    .lim    hinis 

1  If,   much    stouter   aud 

heartier  lo,.knig  iIk 

u    bctore,   and   cheerful 

BSeonld  I.e.     Ho   :;i 

■i-lcii    inc   monilv,    aud 

Bttidhc  had  scivo.l  1 

is  tiiiiooiK,  rotiD'iied   to 

Davenpoit,  ^..t   an 

new  suit  of  citizi-ns' 

.•li'.'l'hl's.'a'iid  be I'orl  so- 

ingout tuscc  his  g 

il   ami    liiinds   thought 

he  would  drop  in  ai 

d   call    it    "quits"   with 

me,  and  that  if  1  w; 

ssatisticd.hewas.    I  as- 

Bured  him  I  was,  an 

1  then  he  resolved  that. 

with   the  AlmightN 

s  assistance,   he  would 

lead  a  straight  lite  the  balance  of  his  da 
Although  I  have  never  heard  from  li 
since  that  time,  I  hope  he  has  kept  the 
solve. 


Duke  Darrell,  the   Young   Engineer. 


BT  UEUTENAXT  HOLUS  HAYKE. 


•  I     "It  may  be  done, 
— L    ^' It  must  be  done. 

Thclil■sls|,eakeI■^ 
edina  ;Mll-»orii  la 
face  sha'le.i  iroiii  ih 


ker  was  a  young  man,  dress- 
111  I  a  rilling  sill  I,  his  hanilsome 
m  1  he  laiii|)-lighl  by  a  broad- 
daubed  here  and  there  with  specks  of  yellow- 
mud,  were  tucked  into  a  coarse  pair  of  cow- 
hide boots.  His  entire outfit,fromthecheck 
shirt  to  the  boots  aforementioned,  being 
considerably  the  worse  for  wear. 

The  second  speaker  was  a  man  in  the  prime 
of  life.  Finely  formed,  the  splendid  uni- 
form lie  wore  set  olT  to  advantage  the  out- 
lines of  a  remarkable  physique. 

He  was  seated  ou  a  low  camp-stool  in  front 
of  a  small  table,  upon  which  lay  a  number  of 
maps  aud  topographical  outlines  gener- 
ally. 

Through  the  open  folds  of  the  tarpaulin 
that  formed  the  door  of  the  tent,  the  form 
of  a  sentry  could  be  distinctly  seen,  and  be- 
yond this,  stretching  far  off  in  the  hazy  dis- 
tance of  that  moonlight  night,  lay  the  white 
tents  of  au  army. 

Not  a  sound  woke  the  stillness  for  fully 
two  minutes  after  the  utterance  of  the 
short,  crisp  sentences  recorded  above. 

The  young  man  stood  with  his  arms  fold- 
ed, calmly  waiting,  while  theofBcer  sat  with 
his  head  bowed  in  his  hand,  absorbed  in  the 
perusal  of  the  colored  lines  upon  a  map  be- 
fore him. 

The  sentry  at  the  door  gave  no  sign  of  lite. 
B«yond,  no  echo  broke  the   stillness   that 


brooded  over  the  sleeping  hosts  save  the  cry 
of  some  uight  bird  iu  the  dark  line  of  woods 
to  the  rear  of  the  encampment,  or  the  dis- 
tant, mellow  notes  of  a  cavalry  bugle. 
The  scene  we  have  described   in  the  open- 


aiul  ended   with  defeat  and   retreat  to   the 
army  of  the  Confederacy. 

The  lirst,  the  farmer-looking  young  man, 
was  none  other  than   tiidcon  Miller,  the  fa- 


closed,  almost  within  sight  of  the  hag  for 
which  he  was  being  executed  as  one  of  its 
emissaries  and  spies. 

The  second  speaker,  whose  words  partook 
of  a  command,  was  General  George  B. 
McClellau,  the  commander-in-chief  of  the 
Army  of  the  Potomac,  then  upon  the  penin- 
sula. 

"  The  plan  yon  speak  of  presents  many 
features  that   seem    to   render  it  impossible, 

but     you    speak     eolllidelll  1  y  of    SU.eess,  aud 


ing  his  words  with  due  eaie,  "if  you  will 
permit  me  to  have  my  eiioie,.  of  men,  and 
will  place  the  matter  iiiim  hands,  I  can  only 
say  that  it  will  be  a  success  or  else  it  will  be 
my  last  venture." 

The  commander,  during  this  short  re- 
sponse to  his  utterance,  never  once  took  his 
eyes  from  the  speaker,  while  the  latter,  with 
a  calm,  steady  look,  returned  the  full  gaze 
of  his  superior  officer. 

"You  will  lose  no  time,  then,  in  making 
theattempt?"  said  thegeneral,  atterapanse. 

"No  more  than  necessary,"  replied  the 
scout. 

The  general  seized  a  pen  lying  upon  the 
table,  and  dashing  off  a  few  hasty  lines,  blot- 
ted the  ink,  and,  folding  the  paper,  handed 
it  to  the  young  man,  saving: 

"  Three  days  from  now, at  this  tiiiii-,1  shall 
expect  you  at  headquarteis  wilha  report,  or 
earlier,  if  possible.  In  ease  you  succeed  in 
this  enterprise,  -n-hich  tu  uie  savors  of  much 
that  is  impossible,  a  promotion  awaits  you." 

Gideon  Miller  took  the  folded  paper,  and 
placed  it  in  the  bosom  pocket  of  his  farmer 
disguise,  then,  with  a  bow  to  his  command- 
er, quickly  followed  by  the  usual  military 
salute,  he  turned,  and,  passing  the  motion- 
less sentry  at  tlie  tent  door,  emeiged  into  the 
misty  moonlight  beyond. 

At  the  time  of  which  we  write  (Mav,  186U') 
the  Army  of  the  Potomae,  under  JU-( 'lelhm, 
was  on  its  way  up  the  peninsula  toiuied  bv 
the  James  and  York  rivers,  to  allaek  Uieli'- 
mond,  the  capital  of   the   ISoutlieru   Coiifed- 

Ou  their  march,  which  had  been  unusually 
tedious,  they  had  taken  possession  of  several 
small  railroads,  and,  instead  of  destroying 
tliem,  had  utilized  them  iu  the  transporta- 
tion of  forage  and  i>rovisions. 

As  they  aii valued  further  up,  supplies 
from  the  Xorth  began  to  be  received  from 
across  the  river  by  land  route,  though  the 
raili-oad  tiallie,  however,  had  uot   beeu    to- 

.\>  till'  aiiiiy  advanced,  several  detach- 
ments ol  the  loufederate  forces  had  closed 
iu  iqiun  the  rear,  thus  closing  up  the  trans- 
portation by  lail  to  the  Union  foi.-es,  who, 
bent  upon  the  Richmond  eampaii^u,  iiaid 
littleheed  to  the  movements  of  a  detaeh- 
ment  of  the  enemy  in  the  rear,  the  uiaiii 
forces  then  being  concentrated  around  Hich- 
mond. 

At  length  a  fatal  day  arrived,  and  a  trans- 
portation traiu,  proceeding  overland  to  the 
river,  was  overtaken  and  captured  by  a  de- 
tachment of  Confederate  cavalry,  auii  short 
rations  and  scant  ammunition  stared  the 
Union  army  in  the  face. 

It  was  at  this  juncture  that  Gideon  Miller, 
who  had  been  within  the  enemy's  lines,  re- 
turned to  headquarters  to  report,  and  pro- 
posed a  plan  whereby  provisions  and  am- 
munition could  be  secured  to  the  Union 
forces. 

His  plan,  in  brief,  was  this  : 

To  take  six  men,  two  of  whom  were  prac- 
tical engineers,  and  enter  the  Confederate 
lines. 

Upon  the  line  of  the  railroad,  south  of 
where  the  detachment  were  guarding  the 


track,  lay  some  trains  of  provisions  aud  am- 
munition. 

Accoi  iliiig  to  Miller's  report,  these  were 
but  caielcssly  guarded  ;  the  rebels  resting  in 
fancied  seeuiitv  of  their  prize. 

timei^ainiu-'thi-  point,  a  loeomotivecould 
be  .•aptiiieil  ,|iiietlv  ami  attaehe.l  to  the 
traiu,  the  telegr.,|.ii  eu(,  ami,  betore  the  nat- 
ure of  the  uu.h-rtakiug  couhl  be  .Munpre- 
hended  by  the  enemy,  have  the  train  under 
such  headway  that  it  would  be  impossible 
fortheifl  to  either  board  it  oi'  throw  it  from 
the  track. 

The  scheme  was  no  doubt  a  daring  one ; 
but  it  must  be  borne  in  mind  that  the  de- 
signer was  a  daring  youth. 

ilur  leailers  have  seen  how  the  commander 
gave  his  ciuiscnt,  and  not  only  did  this,  but 
also  gave  .Miller  a  note  to  the  department 
officer  ilireetiug  him  to  lend  the  young  scout 


Armed  \\\i\,  this  Kltiiiintum  from  his  chief. 
Miller  had  no  diltieiilty  in  obtaining  the  sole 
object  which  he  sought,  namely,  men. 

Upon  his  selection  of  these,  the  entire  suc- 
cess of  his  plans  depended. 

Two  hours  before  daybreak  Gideon  Miller, 
surrounded  by  six  forms,  himself  the  sev- 
enth, stooil  beneath  the  widening  shadow  of 
ahnueelm  tree   uipou   the   outskirts  of   the 

The  uiooii,  \\  hii-h  heretofore  had  shed  a 
brilliancy  upon  every  olijeet,  hid,  for  afew 
iiiiuutes,  I.ehiiiii  a  elomkairl  e\er\-  sound, 
.'Veil  to  tlm  I..W  eliiri.  "I  tlc'  .-ri.k.'l  in  the 
m.iss  at  the  foot  ..t  the  .'Im  Iri'c,  ha. I  became 

The  silence  really  was  oppressive. 

Miller  gave  a  detailed  account  of  his  plan 
to  his  lireatliless  auditors,  and,  after  deline- 
ating plainly  the  duty  of  every  man,  and 
what  snonld  be  expected  of  each,  said  : 

"  Now,  every  man  for  himself,  and  Temem- 
ber  to-morrow  night  when  the  moon  is  ris- 
ing." 

There  was  a  silent  hand-.shakiugall  around, 
forall  knew  that  s.iTiii' <ai.>  might  int  be  at 
the  rcuil.-zvous  a(  thi>  ai.|...iul.il  lime,  and 
nonecareil  t..suiiuis.'a>  Iu  whom  it  might 
be,  after  which  seven  dark  forms  glided  like 
shadows  from  under  the  elm  tree  and 
plunged  into  the  mysterious  forest  before 
them. 

"  Gideon  Miller  was  the  last  man  to  leave 
the  shadow  of  the  tree,  and  as  he  crossed  the 
iiari..»-  bai-..fiiio..ulitgr.. mill  that  separated 
the  b.rest  f]..ni  them,  an  observer  would 
havciKiti.-ed  that  anoth.T  form  beside  his 
own  casta  shadow,  quaint  and  fleeting,  on 
the  ground. 

The  companion  of  Gideon  Miller  (and  the 
reader  will  pardou  us  if  we  throw  the  cal- 
cium light  over  him  for  a  moment)  was  a 
mere  lioy. 

His  slender  forei  was  in  direct  contrast  to 
the  manly,  full  outlines  of  Gideon  Miller. 

He  was  apparently  net  more  than  nineteen 
years  of  age,  but  ovei-  the  pale,  and  what 
seem. '.I  like  .■ar.'w.uii  features,  there  was 
siuh  a  sbiu  sha.h.'ivot  determination  that 
his  l.atur.'s  si.iii.il  more  prominent  than 
thev  really  Mer.'. 

Duncan  Darrell,  or  "  Duke  "  Darrell,  as  he 
was  known  to  the  men  of  the  102 regi- 
ment, was  a  remarkable  boy,  or  man  rather. 
Shortly  after  joining  the  regiment  as  a 
drummer  boy.  h.'  gav.'  an  expression  of  con- 

111-  in  tfi.-  piv^.'m-e  ,',r  his  ...l.im'l, "which 
i> role: lit  J.iiih  1 1  em  thai  otli.'er  a  harsh  and 
ha>ly  r.jilj,  uilh  ih..  ivf.U'l,  "to  ih:  it  bet>- 
l.r   il    In-    liiouglil    111'  could  compete  with 


Taking  lli.'eol..iii'lat  his  word, 
fa. Ill  lio\- w  .aif  io  work  amid  the  sneers  of 
ii.-tiv  .iin.-.-is  and  the  silent  pity  of  his  com- 
i.anious-ni-arms,  who  felt  confident  that 
liarr.Uwas  li..uiid  to  come  out  of  liis  ven- 
tur.'iu  failure,  ami  with  the  contempt  of  all 
for  his  presumption  and  scemingarrogance  ;  j 
but  Duke  Darrell  had  no  such  idea  in  his  i 
fertile  brain,  and  in  less  than  ten  hours  he 
had  completed  a  piece  of  engineering  that ' 
was  estimated  by  the  skilled  engineers  im- 
possible of  completion,  under  themost favor- 
able circumstances,  under  eighteen  or 
twenty-four  hours. 

Surprised,  yet  pleased  with  the  unex- 
pected result,  his  colonel  at  once  offered  to 
transfer  him  into  the  engineer  corps ;  but 
with  the  coolness  that  favored  no  repetition 
of  the  offler,  Duke  decUned,  and  the  matter 
was  dropped. 

When  the  railroad  scheme  was  first  re- 
volved in  the  mind  of  Gideon  Miller,  Duke 
Darrell  was  associated  with  it  as  its  leader. 

Gideon  Miller  could  plan,  but  Duke  Dar- 
rell must  e-xeeute ;  and  so  we  find  the  young 
engineer  in  company  with  Gideon  Miller 
upon  the  eve  of  what  afterward  proved  to- 


THE  WAR  LIBRARY 


be  one  of  the  most  daring  projects  in  tlie 
history  of  the  Army  of  the  Potomac. 

The  moon,  which  until  now  had  been  hid- 
den at  intervals  by  masses  of  lazily  driftnig 
clouds,  suddenly  became  imbedded  in  a 
greatl)anU  of  driftiuf;  black,  and  its  light 
thus  withdrawn  left  the  two  in  complete 
darliness. 

Half  a  mile  of  skirting  along  the  somber 
edge  of  the  great  black  woods  brought  them 
to  a  sort  of  narrow  opening. 
'  It  was  a  bridle  path,  and  quietly  direrting 
from  the  route  they  were  pursuing,  both 
plunged  into  the  dark  recess.  Miller  leading 
and  Darrell  close  behind. 

An  hour's  traveling  brought  them  no 
ne;ucr  the  end,  and  indeed  it  seemed  as  if 
biitli  bridle  path  roads  would  never  end. 

Tliev  had  been  hurrying  forward  at  a 
lapid'walk,  when  Miller  suddenly  stopped 
-linrt,  and  Duke,  who  had  been  following 
.  Iii>ely  in  his  wake,  ran  into  him  with  cou- 
~i'li'ra"ble  force. 

■J'lie  scout  paused,  silent  and  breathless, 
f.  .1  u  fi-w  seconds,  then  dropped  quietly  to 
tlicgrduud  upon  his  hands  and  knees,  and 
cniwled  into  the  underbrush  to  the  left  of 
the  path. 

Without  a  word  Duke  Darrell  did  the 
<inn;  and  as  he  cast  his  eyes  forward  in  his 
J  1  iiuchiug  position,  he  saw  far  ahead  a  glim- 
mer of  light,  broken  by  the  intervemng 
shrubbery  aud  tree  trunks. 

Ouce  more  Miller  paused  in  his  monkey- 
like  position. 

A  few  short  seconds  passed,  and  then  both 
listeners  heard  the  tread  of  feet  coming  down 
the  bridle  path  they  had  just  left. 

Nearer  and  nearer  came  the  footsteps 
until  they  were  directly  opposite  them,  and 
then  they  paused. 

Whoever  it  was,  was  evidently  listening,  but 
hearing  nothing,  though  withm  ten  feet  of 
the  two  in  the  underbrush,  the  watcher 
turned  and  retraced  his  steps. 

The  minute  the  foots^teps  had  died  away 
in  the  distance  the  scout  rose  to  a  standing 
position;  and,  without  losing  tiiin',  liniricil 
forward,  his  light  footsteps  unci  tli(>><-  (if  his 
companion,  making  scarcely  any  iioisi-  iiih.ii 
tihe  soft  moss  and  forest  mold  bcneat  h  tlicir 
feet. 

One  hour  of  tiresome  tramping  together' 


plete  detour  of  the  guerrilla  camp,  aud  once 
more  they  found  themselves  upon  the  beaten 
path. 

The  gray  streaks  of  the  coming  day  were 
already  visible  in  the    hn;-izon   to  the  cast 


and  saw  1 

here 

and 

frori 

athi 

i  spi 

disl: 

Mill. 

i-,  lo 

gnai 

the 


1  ee,  situated  a  short 
i(  the  forest,  Gideon 
c.  clambered  np  its 
iicealed  themselves 
nil  pic  foliage. 
iTfil:  and,   cramped 


The  wen-  ict  .li^, 
and  sore,  tli.y  orop. 
tree  to  the  ground  as  the  Hist  shades  of 
evening  l>egan  chasing  each  other  over  the 
landscape. 

Their  course  the  night  before  was  different 
from  that  taken  liy  any  of  the  rest  of  their 
oompaiiv.  and  by  so  ibiiiic;  they  had  gained 
scvrial  iiiili's,  aii'l  ivcn-   now    within  a  mile 

Finally  tilt  y -:iu-  Inl.ir.-  tlii-in,  stretching 
away  to  the  lailnia.i.  a  .  lis.ly  lut  meadow, 
broken  by  no  fince  (ir  lurze  which  would 
afford  them  a  hiding-place. 

They  had  reached  the  railroad,  and  were 
approaching  the  little,  block,  shed-like 
striH'ture  that  did  duty  as  a  station  at  the 
switch ;  when,  as  they  "drew  near,  they  were 
confronted  by  a  guard  who  appeared  sud- 
denly from  around  a  corner  of  the   statiou- 


hoi: 


Jli 


Halt! 


kept  ciu  his  way  and  approached  the  guard, 
who  by  this  time  had  brought  thegnu  to  his 
shoulder  aud  was  covering  the  advancing 
youth. 

"Don't  Are,  you  fool!"  veiled  Miller  to 
the  guard,  "that  boy's  deaf  as  a  post,  and 
don~t  bear  you.  He  don't  know  what  you 
mean!" 

"Who  air  yeou,  anyhow?"  yelled  the 
guard,  in  return,  lowering  his  gun  from  his 
shoulder  and  watching  Miller  with  eyes  like 
a  hawk,  while  Darrell  continued  to  advance 
until  he  was  alongside  of  the  Confederate. 

"If  you'll  let  me  get  near  enough,  I'll  show 
you  who  I  am,"  replied  the  scout,  producing 


coat. 

"  Cum  on  then,  but  don't  yer  cum  too 
close  to  this  hyar  gun."  and  a  grin  spread 
over  the  good-natured  features  of  the  South- 
Miller  advanced  until  he  was  within  five 
feet  of  the  guard,  and  straightening  himself 
np,  began  to  read  in  a  pompous  tone  from 
the  paper. 

"Headquarters  of  Goodchild's  cavalry, 
May  — ,  18«a.    To  Col. " 

The  next  instant  the  unsuspecting  guard 
felt  an  arm  thrown  around  his  neck,  while 
his  feet,  in  an  unexplained  manner,  shot 
outward,  and  he  fell  heavily  to  the  ground. 

A  single  minute  saw  the  guard  bound  and 
gagged  (for  Gideon  Miller  had  made  ample 
provision  for  just  such  an  emergency  as 
this),  and  the  next  saw  him  lifted  by  the 
two  and  carried  forward  to  the  tram  of 
box-cars  standing  twenty  yards  away  on  the 
switch. 

The  guard  was  thrown  into  the  cab  of  the 
locomotive,  when  Duke  Darrell  followed, 
together  with  Moore,  the  engineer-like  man, 
who  had  spoken  to  them. 

As  for  Gideon  Miller,  he  hurried  forward 
at  the  top  of  his  speed,  and,  with  almost 
herculean  strength  and  activity,  climbed  a 
telegraph  pole  fifty  yards  ahead  of  the 
train,  which  was  shaded  by  a  gigantic  beech 
tree. 

His  action  was  made  clear  when  one  after 
another  the  wires  fell  to  the  ground,  severed 
by  the  sharp  edges  of  a  pair  of  small  pinchers 
he  had  carried  up  the  pole  in  his  teeth. 

Dining  this  time  the  bell  of  the  engine  had 
given  one  trap,  and  as  it  died  away  over  the 
hilltops  and  across  the  fields,  a  dark  form 
glided  out  from  behind  a  huge  tree  fardown 
the  track,  and  worked  for  a  minute  with 
something  connected  with  the  ties  on  the 
railroad ;  it  then  turned,  waved  its  hands 
wildly  and  then  disappeared  in  asmall  grove 
of  trees  at  the  right  of  the  railroad. 

Dnke  Darrell  saw  these  motions  from  his 
seat  ill  th.'  cab  (if  the  locomotive. 

(  licsin;,' !iis  lips  with  a  fierce,  determined 
air,   lie    i-aclic-ci    fcirward,  threw  open    the 

Rattle!  crash!  whir-r!  and  the  cab  was 
riddled  with  a  dozen  bullets. 

Marshall  Moore  had  stooped  to  grasp  the 
firing-shovel,  but  it  was  his  last  act,  for  the 
next  instant  he  fell  forward  upon  the  coal 
pile  in  the  tender,  with  a  bullet  in  his 
brain. 

As  for  Duke  Darrell,  he  felt  astingingpain 
in  his  left  arm,  there  came  a  dizzy  feeling 
icvcr  liiiii,  as  if  he  was  falling  from  some 
L'lcat  hci;;iit,  but  he  slh'cik  it  c .fl', audgraspiug 
till- tlirc.ttli-    with  a  ti,:_'litcr  "rip   he  threw  it 


had  be 
gine  r 
of  stee 


,  as  though  it 
e  mighty  en- 
^3  and  sinews 


the.  piicki-t  c,t  his  blouse,  he 
drew  forth  a  huge  lasp-knife.  From  a  belt 
underneath  he  produced  a  revolver,  and 
laying  it  liesicle  him  on  the  box,  he  gazed 
out  for  a  iiiiiuite  down  theroad,  along  which 
the  engine,  with  its  train  behind,  was  dash- 
ing at  a  tearful  rate  of  speed. 

It  was  twenty-flve  miles  from  Overton 
switch  to  the  Union  picket  lines,  and  well 
the  young  engineer  knew  that  it  would  re- 
quire an  almost  constant  supply  of  fuel  to 
maintain  a  head  of  steam  suffleii"-nt  to  keep 
up  the  rate  of  sped  at  which  tli.v  w.av  now 
traveliu-:  but  his  plans  liad  l.eeii  formed. 

Concealin-troni  the  Conlcha-ate  guard, 
who  lay  bound  and  gagged,  with  his  face 
from  the  lever,  upon  the  foot-board  of  the 
tender,  the  fact  that  he  was  wounded,  Duke 
stooped,  and  with  his  revolver  in  one  hand 
and  open  knife  in  the  other,  cut  the  ropes 
that  bound  him. 

The  next  instant  (he  man  was  on  his  feet, 
with  a  liaii-eiciiis  trieain  in  his  dark,  south- 
ern eyes;  but  pointing  straight  at  his  brain 
was  the  blue  muzzle  of  a  revolver. 

A  motion  from  Duke  signified  that  he  was 
to  fire  np. 

Down  the  long  track,  lightened  up  here 
and  there  by  bars  of  brilliant  moonlight,  in 
and  out  of  groves  dark  and  gloomy,  aud 
dashing  with  a  subdued  roar  across  trestles 
andbricli^cs  the  gicrming  engine  whirled, 
its  dark'   train  ,~ti  c  i"  liiug  out  behind,  like 


did  the  Confederate,  with  glaring  eyes.obey, 

Twenty  miles  had  been  aecomplis"     '    "' 
more  and  all  was  safe. 


Suddenly,  as  they  swept  round  a  long 
curve,  through  the  trees  to  the  right  Duke 
Darrell  caught  sight  of  a  broad,    sweeping 


stream,  whose  waters  reflected  a  great  glow 
of  light. 

At  the  same  time  a  yell  from  the  Confe*!- 
erate  fireman  caught  his  ear. 

He  never  moved  his  position  nor  shifted 
his  eyes,  however,  though  the  light  from  a 
great  fire  was  now  illuminating  every  por- 
tion of  the  engine  cab,  and  the  features  of 
his  prisoner  he  saw  working  in  an  agony  of 
fear. 

At  length  he  turned  his  eyes  for  a  single 
instant  down  the  road,  but"  in  that  in-tant 
he  beheld  a  sight  that  made  every  nerve  in 
his  system  quiver,  and  the  hand  in  whic  h  he 
held  his  revolver  trembled  in  an  agony  of 
horror. 

Before  them  stretched  a  broad  creek, 
spanned  by  a  bridge  reaching  from  two 
precipitous  banks,  toward  which  they  were 
rushing  down  the  gleaming  iron  track  with 
whirlwind  speed. 

The  bridge  was  a  blazing,  crackling  mass 
of  flame. 

"  Jump !"  he  yelled  to  the  Confederate,  but 
his  words  were  lost  upon  the  ears  of  the  man, 
who  had  fainted. 

He  saw  the  blazing  girders  of  the  bridge 
crackle  and  glow  above  his  head ;  there 
came  a  rush  of  flame  and  smoke  that 
scorched  and  blinded  him,  and  then,  oh, 
heavens !  came  a  sweet,  cool  rush  of  night 
air,  and  opening  his  eyes  he  saw  the  track 
ahead  gleam  fainter  and  fainter  as  the  fire 
died  away  behind  in  the  distance,  while  far 
off  down  the  road  he  caught  sight  of  gleams 
of  fire  here  and  there,  twinkling  like  tiny 
beacon  lights  of  hope. 

They  were,  thank  Heaven,  the  watch  fires 
of  the  Union  army. 

Five  minutes  later,  blackened  and  burned, 
with  his  left  arm  limp  and  powerless  at  his 
side,  Duke  Darrell  stopped  his  engine  within 


waiting  for  him  ;  and  oh,  what  a  shout  rent 
the  air  as  the  boyish  young  engineer  paiu- 
fuUy  and  slowly  crawled  down  from  the 
engine  box. 

"  Boys,  give  three  cheers  for  Duke  Darrell, 
our  boy-hero!" 

Oh,  what  cheers  rent  that  moonlit  air,  and 
how  tenderly  they  lifted  the  half-faintiug 
boy  and  carried  him  to  his  tent. 

Of  that  little  baud  only  two  are  alive  to- 
day. 


Catalogue  of  The  War  Library. 


All  Earlier  Numbers  in  Print. 


239  KILPATRICK'S  BEST  BOWER; 

or,    A     Cavalry    Sweep     Through 

Georgia,    by  Ji.criaie  Manlv. 

240  ON  SHILOH'S  FIELD;  or,  Fight- 
ing Kit  of  Kentucky.    Hy  Wanl  e-j- 


241     THE  WAR  REPORTER;or,  Bat- 
tle Sm^ke     Among    the   Mount- 


Gral 


243  MAD  SAK)  THE  CAVALRYMAN; 

or.  With  Sheridan  in  theShenan- 

doah.      By  Mark  Wiitoil.      ,  ILnlIv  May  r. 

244  THE  MOUNTAIN  CANNONEER; 
or,  A  War  Mystery  of  Antietam. 

Dv  Aiithonv  1'.  >!"rns.  [liea.ly  .MayU. 

245-TAKEN  AT  FREDERICKS- 
BURG ;  or.  The  Great  Tun  nel  at 
Libby  Prison,  b;  Ai.iU  Korius.  "War 
Correspondent."  [licaiiv  Mny  21. 

246  CHECKAHOMINY  JOE;  or,  Mc- 
Clellan's  Wonderful  Boy  Spy.  b.v 
Ward  Edwards,  f,  .-;.  \'.  [Keady  May  38 


s  i»  is;  O  X  ^3^  2L. 


Life  and  Military  Services  of 
GENERAL    U.    S.    GRANT. 


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States.  Subscription  price,  $5.00  a  year;  smgla 
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